By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has decided to withhold the entire West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results of 45-year-old Saminatu Tarawally after she was found participating in the school-based exams earlier this year.
Tarawally, who took the WASSCE at Bishop Jane Middleton Senior Secondary School in Goderich, had her results for all nine subjects—ranging from Economics and English Language to Mathematics and Physics—immediately withheld following her discovery.
The situation came to light during an unannounced inspection by Deputy Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mamusu Patricia Massaquoi. WAEC subsequently took action against Tarawally, whose candidate number is 6041645729, citing her participation as a clear case of examination malpractice.
In a statement released in May 2025, WAEC clarified that although there is no official age limit for the WASSCE, the May-June school-based examination is exclusively for current students with continuous assessment scores. Candidates over 25 or those who completed their basic education long ago are required to register for the private November-December WASSCE instead.
Following the withholding of her results, Tarawally’s family has appealed to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into WAEC’s actions. Abubakarr Tarawally, Saminatu’s younger brother, along with other family members, argued that this decision undermines national efforts to empower women and girls through education. They are demanding an urgent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Saminatu’s examination and the rationale behind the results’ withholding.
The family has specifically requested:
- A formal explanation from WAEC regarding the results’ withholding.
- An independent investigation, possibly commissioned by the president.
- Assurances that adult and non-traditional candidates will be treated fairly in future examinations.
The blanket withholding of results for a non-traditional candidate has raised serious questions about WAEC’s adherence to due process and effective communication. Observers have expressed concern that this incident may deter other adult learners from pursuing formal certification. The Tarawally family has indicated their intention to pursue formal appeals if WAEC does not provide a satisfactory explanation promptly.
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