WAEC, Liberia Soar Fees for Public Examination Candidates

By Abdul Rahman Suagibu –

Students taking WAEC Exams in Nigeria
Photo Credit: Waeonline

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS, Freetown, Sierra Leone- The National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has pronounced increment in fees for would be candidates of both Primary and Junior high school that will have to write the certificate examinations across the country in the coming years.

The fees have been increased from L$1,000 to L$ 2,000 for primary and from L$ 2,350 to L$3,500 for Junior high school pupils.

WAEC also proclaimed that, “beginning April 2020, we will introduce a customized mathematical set (CMS) on the West African Senior Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and Liberia Junior High School Certificate Examinations (LJHSCE)”

“With the introduction of this new gadget”, WAEC added, “Candidates will be banned from carrying personal materials such as calculators and watches to examination centers, because the set contain all of what the candidates will need to sit the exams, including a calculator with an installed timepiece”.

The decision was reached at the 126^th meeting of the Liberia Administrative and Finance (A&F) Committee on June 17, 2019 in Monrovia chaired by Madam Madia Mensah that interfaced for Alexander Duopu – Deputy Education Minister for Instruction.

The committee is the highest decision making body on administrative and financial matters of the institution. It comprises key national stakeholders, including the ministries of Education, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Civil Service Agency, General Services Agency, Association of Universities, National Teachers Association of Liberia and National Principal Association.

According to WAEC, the resolution to introduce the Customized Mathematical set aims to be hedge examination malpractices and other misconduct on the part of Candidates during the administration of exams.

The body at the meeting agreed that the mathematical set is purchased for seven United States dollars (US $7,000), and that payment be done through schools. The committee also agreed that ownership of the mathematical set would be solely for the candidates.

WAEC is West African Examinations body established by law in English- Speaking West African Countries, to conduct test and award certificates comparable to those of equivalent examining authorities internationally.

For New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Suagibu Reports,  Africa Correspondent

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