Ferdinand | EducationGhana | May 05 | Shocking BECE 2026 Malpractice: 7 Invigilators Arrested on Day One, WAEC Reveals
WAEC has disclosed that seven invigilators were arrested for examination malpractice on the first day of BECE 2026. Five cases involved mobile phones, while two involved prepared answers.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revealed that seven invigilators were arrested for various examination malpractice offences on the first day of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The arrests occurred across three regions and involved both active invigilators and other examination officials, according to WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi.
WAEC Reports 7 Arrests Across Three Regions
Speaking in an interview with 3News on the opening day of the examination, Mr. Kapi disclosed that the incidents were recorded in the Central, Bono, and Ashanti Regions.
According to him, the Central Region recorded three cases, while Bono and Ashanti Regions recorded two cases each, bringing the total number of arrests to seven.
The revelation comes as hundreds of thousands of candidates across Ghana began writing this year’s BECE under heightened examination security measures.
Mobile Phone Violations Dominate Malpractice Cases
Mr. Kapi explained that five of the seven cases involved mobile phone infractions.
He further disclosed that two other suspects were caught preparing answers intended to be distributed to candidates inside examination halls.
According to WAEC, the offences undermine the integrity of the examination process and violate established examination regulations.
The examination body has repeatedly warned teachers, invigilators, and examination officials against engaging in any activity that could compromise the credibility of national examinations.
WAEC Questions Why Teachers Continue to Risk Sanctions
Expressing concern over the incidents, Mr. Kapi said it remains difficult to understand why some teachers continue to engage in examination malpractice despite numerous warnings and stakeholder engagements.
He noted that WAEC’s regional representatives have conducted extensive sensitisation programmes involving teachers, chiefs, security personnel, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), parents, and other stakeholders.
According to him, both WAEC and the Ministry of Education have consistently communicated the serious consequences awaiting individuals who engage in examination malpractice.
Mr. Kapi stated that the Director-General of WAEC had repeatedly emphasised the sanctions that would be imposed on teachers found culpable, while the Minister for Education had publicly condemned all forms of examination malpractice.
Despite these efforts, he said some teachers continue to involve themselves in activities that threaten the integrity of the examination system.
BECE 2026 Proceeds Smoothly Despite Challenges
Despite the reported malpractice cases, WAEC indicated that the first day of the examination was largely successful across the country.
Mr. Kapi noted that no candidate was prevented from writing the examination due to administrative difficulties.
However, he acknowledged that some examination centres, particularly in parts of the Western Region, experienced delays in receiving examination materials.
He explained that the late arrival of question papers and other materials constituted one of the major operational challenges encountered during the morning session.
According to him, WAEC is working to address these logistical issues to ensure smoother administration of subsequent examination papers.
WAEC Assures Improved Coordination in Subsequent Papers
WAEC has assured candidates, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders that measures are being put in place to address the challenges experienced on the opening day.
The Council expressed confidence that logistical difficulties affecting some centres would be resolved as the examination progresses.
With the BECE continuing across the country, examination officials are expected to intensify monitoring efforts to prevent further malpractice cases and maintain the credibility of the assessment process.
Why Examination Malpractice Remains a Major Concern
Examination malpractice continues to be one of the biggest threats to the credibility of Ghana’s educational assessment system.
Education experts have consistently warned that cheating undermines fairness, affects public confidence in examination results, and weakens the quality of educational outcomes.
As BECE 2026 progresses, stakeholders are expected to closely monitor developments while supporting efforts to promote integrity and transparency throughout the examination period.
Conclusion
The arrest of seven invigilators on the first day of BECE 2026 highlights WAEC’s ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of national examinations. While the examination has largely proceeded smoothly, the incidents serve as a reminder that examination malpractice remains a significant challenge requiring continued vigilance from all stakeholders.
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