The release of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results has been throwninto jeopardy as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) struggles with significant financial constraints caused by Ghana's GH₵118 million debt.
According to the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr. Clement Apaak, the government has issued GH₵25 million to WAEC. This funding, he believes, is only scratching the surface of the issue. "The information we are receiving isthat the government has issued a cheque for GH₵25 million to WAEC, but we are talking about an amount of GH₵118 million, and so when you give only GH₵25 million, clearly this is not even half of the debt. It is adrop in the ocean," Dr. Apaak told Eyewitness News.
WAEC's Public Relations Officer, John Kapi, confirmed the need for the funds, stating, "We’ve used every little resource we had to sustain operations. So this time around, we have nothing to fall on, and that's the reason we are askingthat this money be paid so they'll be able to continue their work. " With the examination period approaching swiftly, the fate of approximately 460,611 students hangs precariously in the balance.
The delay is causing growing unrest among students, many of whom were hoping their results would support university applications and other academic pursuits. The anxiety and frustration are palpable. One student expressed, "The current situation about our results is somethingthat is making us worried and anxious. The results have not yet been released, which means our whole academic life is stagnant. Now, without the results, we can't continue or climb up the academic ladder, so I feel like the governmentshould do anything possible to make sure our results are released." Another student echoed these sentiments, warning, "The results are supposed to be released before next year, so we will know the schoolsthat chose us. But if they want to release it next year, there is going to be a lot of pressure, like a whole lot of drama." This looming academic pressure is clearly taking its toll on students across the nation.
Echoing the students' concerns, the Executive Secretary of Vice Chancellors’ Ghana, Dr. Cynthia Kpeglo, raised alarms over the potential academic chaos created by the funding gap. She stated, "Once the academic calendar is affected, teachingand learning are affected, and restructuring the whole programme to benefit them may be a difficult task because it also has financial implications. Whatever it is causing this challenge, we need to address them; we need to attendto them."
Dr. Kpeglo's comments highlight the interconnected nature of the funding crisis. Disruptions to academic schedules can have far-reaching impacts on the educational experiences of students. With many vying for university placements, the delayin results could adversely affect future opportunities.
Officials from WAEC have made clear the urgent need for the government to settle its debts to prevent these academic disruptions from becoming permanent. Kapi stated, "Without the overdue payment, we cannot proceed with the release of results for thisyear's exams. This isn't just about money; it's about the future of these students."
With deadlines approaching for many educational institutions, the pressure is mounting on the Ghanaian government. Stakeholders, including parents and community leaders, are now calling for immediate government action to resolve thefinancial crisis.
The situation has highlighted the fragility of the education system amid financial constraints. Students, parents, and educators alike are left to grapple with the uncertainty of when, or even if, results will be released. Until the significant debtis settled, the academic futures of many Ghanaian students remain at risk.
The fallout from the financial delays highlights the deepening cracks within Ghana's educational infrastructure. Calls for transparency and accountability within the government's financial dealings are growing louder, with many stakeholdersdemanding clarity on why such significant debts have accrued.
Educational authorities are concerned this financial strife will lead to yet more systemic issues, particularly if past debts remain unpaid and funding becomes increasingly unreliable. The longer these debts remain unresolved, the greater theimpact on students and their academic pursuits. They're left anxious and unsure as they await life-changing results.
With the situation growing dire, the educational community is rallying together. Students, parents, educators, and even politicians are uniting, urging government officials to prioritize education funding and safeguard the future of Ghanaianstudents.
This collective response from various sectors of society could be the catalyst needed to compel the government to address the funding issue with urgency. Whether they will act swiftly to alleviate the suffering caused by this debtremains to be seen.
For now, all eyes remain on the government's next steps as hundreds of thousands of students await clarity on their academic futures.
