The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has suspended this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) until further notice.
The decision, the Council alluded, is in line with protocols put in place by governments of WAEC member countries, to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
A statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the Ghana Office, Agnes Teye-Cudjoe said “a new timetable for the conduct of the examination will be designed and made available to all stakeholders when the situation improves.”
The statement however was silent on the fate of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates but responding to a text message sent to Mrs Teye-Cudjoe, she said, “we will communicate any information on that later.”
An internal memo signed by the Acting Head IED,E.K.Myers and earlier sighted by the Ghanaian Timesyesterday pointed out that “the negative impact of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent protocols put in place by governments of member countries to prevent the spread of the disease have serious implications for the conduct of WASSCE for school candidates.”
“Please note that the proposal from the secretariat on the need to reschedule WASSCE 2020 was approved by the Chairman of the Council,” it said.
The postponement of this year’s WASSCE comes on the back of calls by the Coalition of Pre-Tertiary Education Unions in Ghana for a change in the timetable of this year’s WASSCE and BECE to allow final year students join their junior’s at home.
They justified that the continuous stay of candidates in schools could trigger a spread of COVID-19.
The Unions, comprising, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Teachers & Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH) therefore appealed to the President to push for a change in this year’s timetable.
Following the confirmation of COVID-19 cases in the country, President Akufo-Addo in a public announcement banned all public gatherings for the next four weeks to prevent further spread of the disease.
He directed that all “Universities, Senior High Schools and basic schools both public and private be closed effective Monday, March 16 till further notice.”
With the exception of BECE and WASSCE candidates who were permitted to attend school in preparation for their final examination, all others were to be home as the Ministries of Education and Communication collaborate to roll out distance learning programmes.
The public gatherings banned include conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, sporting events and religious events such as services in churches and mosques though ceremonies like private burials could proceed but with only 25 people in attendance.
As it stands, Ghana now has 16 persons infected with COVID-19 but health experts expect a rise in the ensuing two weeks.
The public is thus entreated to adhere to precautionary measures including regular washing of hands with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
“Avoid shaking of hands, keep distance of at least two metres from persons with signs of fever, cough, sneezing and difficulty in breathing, do not touch face, eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands, be physically active, drink plenty of water, eat healthy, avoid stress and have enough sleep.
“In case of suspected cases members are to call the following hotlines; 0509497700, 0558439868.”
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
