MONROVIA – More than 53,000 twelfth-grade students from across Liberia and parts of neighboring Guinea are sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which officially commenced today.
According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 53,201 candidates from 1,048 senior high schools are participating in this year’s regional examination. Of that number, 1,045 schools are based in Liberia, while three are from Guinea.
The WASSCE, administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is a crucial academic milestone for students seeking to earn their high school diplomas and pursue tertiary education. Education authorities have emphasized the importance of the exams, noting that they serve as a standard measure of academic competence across the West African subregion.
Officials from the Ministry of Education and WAEC-Liberia have visited several testing centers to ensure a smooth and transparent process. Reports from around the country indicate that the exams began without major incident.
This year’s exams are taking place under heightened scrutiny, with education stakeholders stressing the need for integrity, adequate supervision, and logistical coordination to prevent malpractices.
The WASSCE is expected to run over several weeks, covering a range of subjects from the sciences and mathematics to the arts and social sciences. Students who successfully pass the exams will be eligible to graduate and advance to colleges and universities both in Liberia and abroad.
As the testing period gets underway, education advocates have called on all candidates to remain focused and disciplined throughout the exams. Parents and school administrators are also being urged to provide the necessary support to help students perform to the best of their abilities.
