Teacher Union reacts to Mahama’s claim WASSCE students cheated

President of the teacher union, National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu has refuted former President John Mahama’s claim that students who sat for the 2023 WASSCE cheated in the examination.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show monitored by Thisterm.com, he described the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination as unique adding that, ‘no two examinations can be the same.’

The President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) clarified that not every teacher engages in cheating, and it is incorrect to make sweeping statements about their performance.

The teacher union member further urged politicians to refrain from meddling in the country’s education system and instead focus on addressing the challenges confronting teachers.

“We beg you politicians, stop playing political football with our exams. Let us maintain our standards. Every examination is different every year,” Angel Carbonu told the host of the Asempa FM Ekosii Sen programme.

His comment comes after flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama challenged the authenticity of the recent results for the 2023 West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

According to him, some invigilators who were tasked to oversee the Ghana version of the International examination (WASSCE for Schoo) relaxed on the job as teachers were found aiding students in answering questions.

“In many places, they let the children cheat. You go to places and the teachers are conniving with the students to cheat. The effect will be seen later,” the leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama said.

The former President, who is on the “Building Ghana Tour”, said the cheating incident in the just-ended West African Senior School Certificate Examination will have dire consequences on the country’s educational system in future.

“You certify these children saying they are of this standard either the BECE or SSCE, and that child will use that certificate, go abroad to a school and they will find out that your qualification is not up to the standard you say it is,” he said.