WASSCE results delay will 'disrupt' tertiary academic calendar - VC

The Association of Vice Chancellors, Ghana, following this year’s WASSCE results delay, says the worrying situation could significantly disrupt the academic calendar of tertiary institutions, including universities in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Association, Dr Kpeglo-Freiku, in an interview with Joy FM monitored by Pretertiary.co,m said the situation could severely impact universities, students, and their families if the outstanding financial issues with the West African Examinations Council are not resolved for the results to be released promptly.

“Most universities had planned to welcome first-year students by the second or third week of January,” the Association of Vice Chancellors of Ghana Executive Secretary Dr. Keglo-Freiku told the Accra-based radio station.

Dr. Keglo-Freiku continued, “The admission process itself is a time-intensive exercise that involves analyzing results, assigning students to programmes, and finalising placements.

With the delays, even if the results are released soon, the process will be pushed into February or later. This creates a domino effect, disrupting academic calendars and reducing the effective time for teaching and learning.”

The Vice-Chancellor of Ghana, Secretary, therefore, has urged the West African Examinations Council to announce a timeline for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School results

“Universities must know when to expect them so they can reorganize their admission processes and academic schedules. The current uncertainty is not sustainable and is causing undue anxiety for all involved,” she said.

His comment comes after the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, told journalists that WAEC has assured him of the release of the WASSCE results on or before December 29, 2024, a claim the Council had denied.

In an interview with Accra-based Starr FM monitored by Pretertiary.com, the spokesperson for the not-for-profit organisation (WAEC) said that the Education Minister’s statement was misleading and inaccurate.

Mr John Kapi revealed that although the Minister had visited the WAEC office and observed some of the work being done, there was no formal discussion or assurance from WAEC regarding the WASSCE results release date.

“The Minister of Education came there. He was taken around by the head of office, shown the broken-down machines, the ones that were working, but there was no formal meeting.

He stepped out and spoke to the media, claiming that we said we would release the West African Senior School Certificate Examination results by December 28 or 29, but that is factually incorrect,” he told Starr FM.

The WAEC spokesman further criticized the Education Minister’s approach, describing it as “scandalous” for making an unsanctioned announcement that could potentially affect the credibility of the examination process.

The West African Exams Council Head of Public Affairs emphasized that such actions undermined the seriousness of the examination results and raised concerns about the potential impact on the future of the candidates.