By: Tommy Sidikie
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results for the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for both school and private candidates. In an official statement issued on October 19, WAEC announced that the results for school candidates will be sent to their respective schools through the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Directors of Education.
However, WAEC reported several instances of exam malpractice during the examination process. Following thorough investigations, the Final Awards and Examiners’ Appointment Committee, at its 35th meeting on October 16, 2024, approved the cancellation of subject results for 377 school candidates and three private candidates who were found guilty of bringing unauthorized materials into the exam hall or engaging in collusion. Additionally, the complete results of 41 school candidates and one private candidate were fully canceled.
The examination body also revealed that the results of 33 school candidates and three private candidates are being withheld as investigations into irregularities continue. Moreover, subject results from 149 schools have been withheld due to reported malpractice, which may lead to either cancellation or release depending on the outcome of the investigations.
In total, 569,236 candidates, consisting of 282,703 males and 286,533 females from 19,505 schools, registered for the BECE for school candidates. This number included 59 visually impaired candidates, 263 with hearing impairments, and 161 candidates with other special needs. The examination was conducted at 2,123 centers nationwide, with 3,845 candidates absent. For the BECE for private candidates, 1,390 individuals registered, comprising 750 males and 640 females, with 57 absent from the exams.
