The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is expressing deep concern over the sharp rise in examination malpractices, describing it as a major threat to both national security and the credibility of the country’s educational system.

Data from the council shows that the number of subject results withheld due to suspected malpractices has risen by a staggering 16,000% in just five years—from 3,235 in 2020 to 522,891 in 2024. Subject results cancelled have also surged by 269%, increasing from 10,496 to 38,693 within the same period. However, entire subject cancellations have seen a slight drop of 9.41%, decreasing from 510 in 2020 to 462 in 2024.

Head of Humanities at WAEC, Daniel Nii Duodu, warns that this alarming trend is corroding the foundation of the country’s education and compromising the future of the nation.“After the results are released, others also came up which beefed up the figures. Erosion of educational integrity. As instances of cheating and unethical behavior increase, the credibility of our academic system is severely undermined.“This decline in educational integrity results in a workforce that is not only ill-prepared, but fundamentally incapable of meeting the demands and rapidly evolving global economy: A generation of graduates lacking essential skills and knowledge threatens our national competitiveness and long-term development and ultimately jeopardises the future prosperity of gravity,” he said.

He made these remarks during a stakeholder meeting on the theme: “Examination Malpractice, a National Security Concern,” aimed at exploring long-term solutions to curb the trend.

The Council also revealed that perpetrators are now deploying advanced technology to carry out their actions. According to John Kappi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, these illegal acts have become more sophisticated.

"Despite all methods to clamp down malpractices, the illegal acts had metamorphosed into sophisticated methods. Using Electronic communication devices, sourcing answers from AI platforms during exams, students now employ teachers, printers nearby to supply already-answered question booklets.“The body mandated to conduct an examination, which has conducted examination for the past seven decades, we do not absolve ourselves of the blame and responsibility to tackle this canker hands-on,” he said.

Meanwhile, WAEC’s Kumasi Branch Controller, Ernest Akoto, is stressing the need for a collective and urgent approach to address the situation.

“The council says the unethical behavior being championed by students, heads of schools and other respected stakeholders is undermining the integrity of the examination. This is why we are having and will have consistent engagements to consolidate ideas and solutions,” he said.