The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has issued a stern ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) regarding the release of withheld WASSCE results.
The students’ body has demanded that WAEC complete its investigations within seven days and release the results or face mass protests and legal action.
The president of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Mr. Daniel Botchway highlighted the distress caused by the delays, emphasizing the psychological and academic toll on affected students. While some students have received their results, a significant number remain in limbo. Mr. Botchway confirmed;
“WAEC, in response to our petition, wrote to us that they have finished their first round of investigations and have released some results.’’
Mr. Daniel Botchway President of NUGS
However, he added that the total number of affected students remains unclear. The lack of comprehensive data has made it difficult to assess the full extent of the issue. This uncertainty has led NUGS to take proactive measures, calling on affected students to reach out. He recounted;
“About four days ago, we published a [notice] asking affected students to contact our legal and student affairs committee. It will surprise you to note that over 1,500 complaints have reached our [offices] so far, and these students are calling in anguish.”
Mr. Daniel Botchway President of NUGS
Psychological and Academic Trauma Over Withheld Results
He stated that the delay in releasing the results has had dire consequences. He lamented;
“Parents are calling. Their children have fallen into depression because they are unable to apply to the universities, and admissions are closing. Most of the admissions are closed.’’
Mr. Daniel Botchway President of NUGS
Meanwhile, the lawyer for the candidates, who sought the high court to allow them to, at least, have their results released—because no wrongdoing has been determined yet—would have prevailed. However, WAEC also sought a stay of execution.
This move has frustrated NUGS, which feels that the examination body is not acting in the best interest of students. He charged;
“That is where NUGS feels that we are being taken for granted. Everybody has the right to appeal any court ruling, but our issue is this: if as an examination body, you feel you are not done with your work, then hold on. Don’t release some results and withhold others under investigation.”
Mr. Daniel Botchway President of NUGS
NUGS has raised concerns about WAEC’s approach to handling alleged malpractice cases. The union believes that withholding results while still inviting candidates to defend themselves is unfair. He queried;
“Why would you release some [results] for some to gain admission to school, and then you release some now? You are now inviting people to come and justify some of the issues you investigated -I have real cases from last year and last two years where students’ results were withheld. By the time they were released, university admissions had closed. These students had to resort to private universities.”
Mr. Daniel Botchway President of NUGS
NUGS’ Demands to WAEC
The students’ union has outlined two primary demands and that is, WAEC must complete all investigations and release the results within seven days. He emphasized;
“Whatever investigation they are doing, they should be done. If they believe that students engaged in malpractice, they should proceed with their rules and cancel those results. Otherwise, they should release all the results for students to have access to admission.”
“In cases where a student takes in a mobile phone or writes something on their skin to [cheat] in a particular paper, WAEC cancels the entire result of the student.’’
Mr. Daniel Botchway President of NUGS
Mr. Botchway revealed that WAEC’s regulations indeed allow for such punitive actions. He argued;
“I went into their regulations because I wanted to understand where this was coming from. It turns out that they have a rule that states if you engage in such malpractice, your entire result should be canceled. But when we met them, I told them this was unfair.”
Mr. Daniel Botchway President of NUGS
NUGS has vowed to take drastic action if WAEC does not meet its demands within the stipulated time, stating; ”We will mobilize all students to protest. We will occupy their offices nationwide,’ and that the union is prepared to take legal action.
The National Union of Ghana Students remains firm in its stance against WAEC’s handling of withheld results. The organization insists that justice must be served fairly, without disadvantaging students who have not been proven guilty of any wrongdoing.
With mounting pressure from affected candidates, parents, and legal representatives, WAEC is expected to respond decisively in the coming days. NUGS has made it clear that it will not rest until all students receive fair treatment. Whether WAEC meets the seven-day deadline or not, this issue is far from over.
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