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The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has raised serious concerns about the impending Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) scheduled for July 2024, citing severe funding challenges that may lead to its cancellation.
According to WAEC’s Director of Public Affairs, John Kapi, the council is facing significant financial hurdles as the government has yet to release critical funds necessary for the preparation and administration of the exams. Specifically, WAEC has highlighted that it needs a total of ₵95,837,306 from the government for the 2024 examinations. However, they have only received ₵2,284,618 so far, leaving an outstanding balance of ₵93,552,688.
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Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, John Kapi emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that time is running out as the exam date approaches on July 8, 2024. He stressed that the $2 million received thus far is insufficient to cover the logistical and operational costs required for conducting the BECE smoothly.
The minority caucus on the Education Committee in parliament has also raised alarms about the situation, calling for a payment schedule from the government to ensure WAEC can proceed with the examinations. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Ranking Member on the Education Committee, proposed convening a meeting with key government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Minister of Education, to address the funding shortfall urgently.
In response, Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, acknowledged the government’s past commitments to funding examinations but downplayed the severity of the current situation. He mentioned previous payments made towards the BECE in 2023 and 2024 but acknowledged the ongoing financial strain affecting government institutions amid high inflation rates.
The broader context of high inflation, standing at 23.1% as of May 2024, has exacerbated financial challenges across sectors like education and health, making it imperative for government institutions to take proactive measures to address these issues.
In conclusion, WAEC’s plea for immediate financial support underscores the critical need for government intervention to ensure that the BECE can proceed as scheduled and that essential educational services are not disrupted by financial constraints.
