Over 15 candidates taking the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Osu Presbyterian Senior High School were almost barred from the Social Studies paper due to their late arrival.
This issue was highlighted during a visit by a delegation from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), led by the Head of the National Office, Dr. Rosemond Wilson.
Addressing the media, Vincent Esuah, the Headmaster of Osu Presbyterian Senior High School, mentioned that these students have a pattern of tardiness for school activities and stressed his determination to strictly uphold examination regulations.
“WAEC works with rules and regulations and the rules are that students are to be seated 30 minutes before a paper. We already had a delay, and we started the paper; they [the students] are now coming.
They have no reason for coming late, they are simply perpetual latecomers, and if you ask them, you will know why they are late, and I will not allow anyone to breach the rules, especially if you don’t have a special reason.”
Dr. Rosemond Wilson clarified that exam supervisors at all centers are required to enforce the 30-minute pre-exam seating rule to deter potential cheating.
“Our regulations stipulate that students must be seated 30 minutes before the start of an exam and cannot leave the exam room 30 minutes before the end.
Supervisors must enforce this rule to ensure the exam runs smoothly, and candidates must provide a valid reason for their lateness,” Dr. Wilson explained.
The students were eventually permitted to take the exam after a delay of nearly an hour.
Headmaster Vincent Esuah has been instructed to submit a report explaining why the students were allowed to sit for the Social Studies paper despite their tardiness.
