The National Association of Liberia School Principals and Proprietors writes to bring to your attention two critical issues that are currently affecting the education system in Liberia.
These issues pertain to the delays in releasing the West African Examination Council (WAEC) results and the timeline constraints regarding graduation ceremonies and their linkage to the release of WAEC/WASSCE results.
The delay in the release of the WAEC/WASSCE results after the 45-day statutory deadline set by WAEC have usually caused significant disruptions within the educational landscape of Liberia.
Unlike the other four West African countries where results are not linked to graduation exercises, Liberia’s unique practice of tying the release of results to graduation ceremonies has inadvertently led to the following:
The quality and significance of graduation ceremonies has been lowered and the educational system’s efficiency is compromised posing challenges for students transitioning to Higher Education institutions, which typically commences in September every year.
The delay has usually affected the MOE’s prescribed timeline for graduation exercises within the Academic Calendar, which usually calls for graduation ceremonies to be held from August 1-31.
Furthermore, linking graduation to WAEC results overtime has led to crosscutting Stakeholder interests fueling malpractices:
Students’ pressure to graduate can lead to lack of long-term learning motivation, stress and mental health issues and diminished value of education as a learning experience. This has increased their indulgence in multiple forms of malpractices.
School Administrators’ desire for high pass rates can result in compromising ethical standards, undermining the credibility of the educational institution and creating an environment where cheating is normalized.
Teachers need for recognition through student success may lead to diminished focus on actual teaching and learning.
Parents’ urgency to see their children graduate may result in prioritization of immediate results over long-term integrity, enabling a culture of cheating and dishonesty and undermine the value of education as a transformative experience.
WAEC supervisors, proctors, and examiners have contributed to the loss of examination integrity by allegedly facilitating malpractices as the result of multiple stakeholders’ interest thus undermining the fundamental purpose of the exams, which is to assess students’ knowledge and skills objectively.
In light of these issues, we propose a fundamental change in the system by decoupling graduation ceremonies from the release of WAEC results.
This strategic shift aims to address the root causes of malpractices, promote academic integrity, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the education system in Liberia. By unlinking graduation ceremonies from the release of WAEC results, several benefits can be realized, including:
Focus on Academic Excellence: Students will be encouraged to strive for academic excellence for their future academic and career prospects rather than focusing solely on passing exams for graduation purposes.
Reduction of Malpractices: Removing the pressure associated with passing exams for graduation can help curb malpractices among students, educators, and examiners, fostering a culture of honesty and integrity within the education sector.
Efficient Transition to Higher Education: Delinking graduation ceremonies from the release of WAEC/WASSCE results will ensure a smoother transition for students to Higher Education institutions, allowing for a seamless academic progression.
Promotion of Educational Integrity: By emphasizing the importance of education for learning and personal growth rather than just certification, this change can instill a sense of pride and integrity in students and educators alike.
Dr. Jallah, we urge the Ministry of Education to consider these recommendations and work towards implementing a system that prioritizes academic integrity, student success, and the overall improvement of the education sector in Liberia.
By fostering a culture of academic excellence and ethical behavior, we can collectively strive towards a more robust and credible educational system that empowers our students to thrive in a competitive global environment.
We are committed to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education and all stakeholders to address these pressing issues and implement positive changes for the benefit of our students and the future of education in Liberia.
We look forward to the opportunity to discuss these matters further and explore practical solutions that will enhance the quality and integrity of education in Liberia.
Dr. Benjamin Y. Wehye
National President
National Association of Liberia School Principals
