The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has issued a stern warning to schools, principals, supervisors, and invigilators against extorting candidates taking the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The council described such practices as illegal and a serious threat to the credibility of the examination.
Statement on Extortion
In a statement released on Monday by its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC revealed that it had received reports of candidates being forced to pay unauthorized fees under various pretexts. These included charges for transporting examination scripts, welfare packages, and so-called cooperation fees. Additionally, the council condemned instances where schools allegedly demanded payment for KAPEK calculators that were provided free of charge to candidates.
WAEC directed school proprietors, principals, supervisors, and invigilators to immediately stop collecting money from candidates or their parents for any purpose related to the examination. The council urged candidates and the public to report any extortion cases to zonal coordinators, branch controllers, or designated official email addresses.
Threat to Integrity
“WAEC condemns these practices as illegal, unethical, and a direct threat to the integrity of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination,” the council stated. Individuals or institutions found engaging in such activities risk severe sanctions, including derecognition of schools, blacklisting, prosecution, and referral to relevant authorities for disciplinary action.
Ongoing Examination
The warning comes as the 2026 WASSCE for school candidates enters its final stages. The examination, which began with practical papers on April 21, is scheduled to conclude on June 19. Approximately 1.96 million candidates from over 24,000 schools registered for this year’s exam, which features an expanded computer-based testing model designed to reduce malpractice and improve transparency.
WAEC confirmed that it has implemented measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining papers and reiterated its commitment to protecting the examination process. The council had previously warned candidates, supervisors, and schools against involvement in examination malpractice, emphasizing that offenders would face severe penalties.
Recent Concerns
Recent concerns about the examination include allegations of extortion, logistical challenges, and complaints about candidate welfare at some centers. WAEC stated it remains dedicated to safeguarding the credibility of its exams and urged parents, schools, and candidates to report irregularities through proper channels.
