Accra: Accessing BECE and WASSCE results online through the purchase of scratch cards is not compulsory for candidates, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) stated. Mr. John K. Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, informed that candidates who are eager to see their results before they are sent to schools can opt to buy scratch cards for online access.
According to Ghana News Agency, CUTS International, a public policy and consumer advocacy think tank, has called on the Ministry of Education to urge WAEC to cease charging fees for online access to results, labeling it as ‘exploitative and unjustified.’ The organization argued that candidates are unfairly burdened by these fees to access their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. They pointed out that in countries like South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Zambia, students do not face such charges.
Responding to these allegations, Mr. Kapi clarified that the scratch cards, priced at GHS 15 for BECE and GHS 25 for WASSCE, are an optional service. He emphasized that similar systems exist in other countries, such as Nigeria, where students can also check results online while waiting for official results to be distributed to schools.
Mr. Kapi refuted the claim of extortion, describing it as ‘misinformation.’ He reiterated that the purchase of the scratch cards is not mandatory and that candidates have the choice of waiting for the results to be delivered to their institutions. He also mentioned that the scratch cards are not included in the council’s agreement with the government, which covers exam fees for candidates. He explained that any inclusion of such services in the government package would require a new agreement.