The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has made it clear that they have no plans to review the new charges imposed on clients, despite threats from the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS). ‘
The council is resolute in its position, citing the necessity to adapt to the increasing costs associated with managing the examination processes.
John Kapi, the Director of Public Affairs at WAEC, explained that the council considers various factors when determining examination fees. These factors include the rising costs of printing materials, among others.
In a recent interview on JoyFM’s Midday News, Kapi referred to the threats from GNAPS as “petty” and emphasized that the council takes into account market conditions, inflation, exchange rates, and other variables before setting the fees.
While GNAPS has threatened a nationwide boycott of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) if the registration fees are increased without consultation, WAEC maintains that their decision-making process involves representatives from various government offices and associations.
Kapi clarified that fee increases are not unilaterally decided by WAEC but rather a collaborative effort involving representatives from the government, the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Education, CHASS, private schools associations, universities, and other relevant bodies.
GNAPS has also called on the government to recognize low fee-paying private schools as social interventions aimed at providing quality education to children in deprived communities and to support them accordingly.
Despite the threats from GNAPS, WAEC stands firm on its decision and assures the public that the fee adjustments are necessary to cover the rising expenses associated with conducting the examinations.
