MONROVIA – In an unprecedented incident, none of the fourteen students from Yarpah Town Public High School in Rivercess County who sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in May 2024 achieved a passing score. These students were forced to take the crucial exam at night due to delays in the arrival of the test materials, a situation that now threatens their academic and professional futures.
The students were observed taking the exam at 7 PM, an unusually late time, after the materials finally reached the county. Despite the challenges posed by the late-night exam session, examiners on site confirmed that the test was conducted with full adherence to standard examination protocols.
The WASSCE is a pivotal examination in West Africa, determining students’ eligibility for tertiary education and future career opportunities. The failure of all fourteen candidates highlights the potential negative impact of the night-time testing conditions.
It can be recalled, in response to the situation, the Plenary of the House of Representatives directed its Committee on Education to investigate the Ministry of Education’s decision to allow the WASSCE to be administered at night. This directive followed a formal communication from Representative Steve Tequah of Rivercess County, Electoral District #2, who raised concerns about the fairness and accessibility of the exam for the students in Yarpah Town.
In his communication he said: “I am writing to request your assistance in inviting the Minister of Education to provide an explanation for the decision to administer the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) on May 21, 2024, at 7 PM in Yarpah Town, Rivercess County,” Tequah stated in his communication. He emphasized that the late-hour exam likely disadvantaged students, impacting their performance under such unusual conditions.
