ALLEGED PLANS TO LEAK WASSCE (SC) 2025 EXAM PAPERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA – The Gambia Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MOBSE) and the Banjul Office of The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) have noted with serious concern an article circulating online alleging a planned leakage of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates (SC) 2025. The article specifically mentions the purported creation of a WhatsApp group intended to facilitate examination malpractice for Gambian candidates. Furthermore, the article names individuals and provides mobile phone numbers alleged to be associated with this criminal activity.
The Ministry and WAEC Banjul Office wish to unequivocally inform all candidates for the WASSCE (SC) 2025, parents, school authorities, and the general public that any claim or attempt to provide candidates with access to the Council’s examination papers prior to the officially scheduled time is entirely fraudulent. Such activities are perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals driven solely by the intent to defraud candidates and parents, and to undermine the integrity of our national examinations. These actions are in no way intended to assist students.
The public, and particularly candidates and parents, are hereby assured that WAEC has implemented comprehensive and robust measures across all stages of the examination process, from the secure management of test papers to the marking and processing of results, to effectively prevent the leakage of examination materials. It is highly improbable that any illicitly obtained “question papers,” which are often counterfeit, can circumvent these stringent controls. Engaging in such fraudulent schemes will undoubtedly result in the deception and financial exploitation of vulnerable candidates, diverting their focus and hindering their ability to rely on their own academic capabilities to achieve success through fair means.
The Ministry and WAEC Banjul Office further wish to inform the public that the Council is actively collaborating with the national security services to rigorously pursue and prosecute individuals involved in the creation and dissemination of such fraudulent postings. Candidates who knowingly participate in these illegal activities by paying for such “services” may also be liable to criminal prosecution under the laws of The Gambia. School administrators and all relevant stakeholders are strongly urged to adequately sensitize their students regarding the absolute futility and severe consequences of engaging with such fraudulent individuals.
Finally, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Banjul Office of The West African Examinations Council call upon all stakeholders, particularly school principals and examination officials, to remain vigilant and steadfast in upholding the integrity of the examination process. Candidates who believe they have obtained unauthorized access to examination materials will invariably attempt to violate examination regulations within the examination hall. Therefore, heightened vigilance and adherence to established protocols are crucial to ensuring a fair and credible examination for all candidates.