Calls are intensifying for the Ghana Education Service (GES) to overhaul its Code of Conduct for teachers following a JoyNews investigation that exposed widespread cheating during this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The exposé revealed shocking instances of teachers openly sharing money and examination answers with students inside exam halls. In some cases, students were allowed to smuggle mobile phones into exam rooms in exchange for as little as GH₵60, sparking nationwide outrage and demands for urgent reform.

In some cases, students were allowed to smuggle mobile phones into the halls in exchange for as little as GH₵60. The exposé has triggered public outrage and calls for immediate action.

Former GES Deputy Director-General, Dr Kwabena Bempah Tandoh, explained on PM Express that the current disciplinary system is heavily reliant on internal investigations.

"When there are issues like this and they are reported to the Ghana Education Service, there are a number of things that happen. The Director General would usually constitute a disciplinary committee. Once that disciplinary committee is constituted, an investigation is undertaken by that disciplinary committee.

• Read also: Full video: JoyNews’ ‘Dark World of BECE’ documentary reveals how GES officials colluded with candidates to cheat in exams

"There is a hearing and then once the disciplinary committee makes its finding and the teacher who is an employee of the Ghana Education Service and during that period was invigilating for WAEC is found culpable for such an offence, the Director-General then makes a recommendation to Council for termination of the employment within the Ghana Education Service.”

However, the Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) says the system is inadequate.

Programmes Officer Kwasi Nimo Jnr. argued that teacher involvement in exam misconduct should be criminalised to allow for direct police prosecution.

“The malpractice rates have skyrocketed, from 489 cases in 2022 to over 3,000. We believe that the actions currently being taken by the GES, which is showing in action, which is showing in prosecutions and showing in black listings and all of that, should be embedded in their code of conduct," he said.

"The examination malpractice involvement, these collisions should be criminalised, so that once they are caught, it goes straight through the security systems."

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) also stated that it has already taken punitive steps, including blacklisting teachers caught in malpractice.

Speaking to JoyNews, WAEC spokesperson John Kapi clarified that while such teachers are under GES, the exam body bars them from future involvement in its activities.

“When it comes to BECE, most supervisors and invigilators are selected by GES. Once issues arise, the feedback goes to them, and we expect appropriate action,” he said.

Stakeholders say reforming the GES Code of Conduct to include criminal liability is now crucial to curb malpractice and restore credibility to Ghana’s education system.