The Municipal Director of Education for Ahafo Ano North in the Ashanti Region has cautioned teachers against any involvement in examination malpractices as the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) approaches.

Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial District Delegates’ Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Tepa, where new district executives were elected, Mrs. Grace Oppong Agyapong urged teachers to uphold professional standards and avoid conduct that could bring the teaching profession into disrepute.

“You must desist from any form of examination malpractices to avoid falling foul to the law and its enforcement agencies,” she warned.

She called on teachers to comport themselves so that this year’s BECE could begin and end without any reports of arrests.

Quoting an African proverb, she added:

“When the root is strong, the tree will flourish. By fortifying the foundation of our education system — our teachers — we guarantee a future of limitless potential.”

Meanwhile, the Chief of Tepa Barniekrom, Nana Koensah Sasraku, expressed concern about illegal demands being made by some teachers and head teachers.

He accused some of calling parents and demanding money under the guise of facilitating students' success in the exams.

“Some of the head teachers and teachers call the parents and ask them to pay an amount for the exams, and some of the parents agree. If they think they have taught the children well, they wouldn’t be asking parents to pay money to help them pass,” he said.

Nana Sasraku called on the Ghana Education Service and other relevant authorities to investigate and end the practice.

The caution comes against the backdrop of widespread malpractice cases during the 2023 BECE, where the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) recorded several incidents.

A total of 18 invigilators were arrested across the country for allegedly aiding candidates and flouting examination rules.

Following investigations, WAEC cancelled the subject results of 377 school candidates and three private candidates for bringing foreign materials into examination halls or colluding during the exams.

The entire results of 41 school candidates and one private candidate were cancelled. Results of another 33 school candidates and three private candidates were withheld pending further investigation.

Subject results from candidates in 149 schools were also placed under scrutiny for suspected irregularities.

To curb the situation, WAEC had introduced stricter regulations, including banning supervisors from using mobile phones at exam centres.

However, some invigilators reportedly breached the rules and attempted to assist candidates during the exams.

Education experts, including Dr. Peter Anti-Partey, have since called for tougher punitive measures against teachers found culpable.

He has advocated for the withdrawal of teaching licenses from those who aid exam malpractices.

“WAEC should make an official complaint to the National Teaching Council so that their licenses would be withheld,” Dr. Anti-Partey stressed, adding that arrests alone do not deter misconduct due to weak outcomes from police investigations.

The calls from educational leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society come as Ghana prepares for another cycle of national examinations amid growing concerns about integrity and fairness in the education system.