Govt releases GH¢55million to WAEC for BECE and WASSCE examinations

The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has received a sum of GH¢55 million from the government to facilitate the organization of this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). 

This confirmation was made by Ms. Winifred Ampiaw, the Public Relations Officer of WAEC, during an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

According to Ms. Ampiaw, the funds received thus far amount to GH¢10.5 million for BECE and GH¢40 million for WASSCE. 

This financial allocation covers pre-exam activities and the execution of the examinations themselves. She assured the public that the total amount received, GH¢55 million, is sufficient to carry out both exams successfully.

The allocated budget for this year’s exams is estimated at around GH¢18 million for BECE and GH¢63.5 million for WASSCE, leaving approximately GH¢7.5 million in remaining funds. However, Ms. Ampiaw reassured that the necessary resources are in place to conduct both exams as planned.

“I can say that we have received some amount of money that will enable us to conduct the exams, for both WASSCE and BECE. However, there’s a payment plan to pay the rest. So far, we have received GH¢10.5 million to be able to conduct BECE, and for WASSCE, we have received GH¢40 million. This amount will enable us to take care of the pre-exams activities and the conduct of the exams itself. We’ve received GH¢55 million in total received, I know for a fact that we have received the money”.

“The payment is for this year’s exams, we are supposed to spend a rough estimate of GH¢18 million for BECE. For WASSCE, the total cost for just the pre and the conduct of the main will take us to GH¢63.5 million. We are left with about GH¢7.5 million. However, I want to assure the public that yes, we are in the position to conduct both exams for this year,” she assured.

Recently, the Minority in Parliament expressed concerns that the 2023 WASSCE and BECE might be at risk due to the government’s alleged failure to fulfil its financial commitments to WAEC. 

The Minority Spokesperson on Education, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, highlighted the urgent need for over GH¢‎50 million to settle financial obligations and ensure a smooth organization of the upcoming examinations. 

He also pointed out the challenges faced by WAEC, citing the government’s delay in releasing funds for compensating individuals who provided services during the 2022 WASSCE.

Responding to the Minority’s claims, Deputy Education Minister, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, affirmed that the government is actively working to fulfill the outstanding financial requirements to support WAEC in conducting the exams without any disruptions.

Source: Graphic Ghana