Liberia has officially commenced the 2025 edition of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with a remarkable total of 53,201 students from across the country participating. These candidates, drawn from both public and private institutions, began sitting for the exams on Thursday, May 15, at designated centers spread throughout all fifteen counties of Liberia.
According to official figures, these students represent 1,048 senior high schools. Of these, 1,045 schools are located within Liberia, while the remaining three are from neighboring Guinea. The number of candidates underscores the growing emphasis placed on academic assessment and certification in Liberia’s educational landscape.
WASSCE, which is administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is not only a significant academic milestone in Liberia but also a cornerstone examination in the broader West African region. The exam is designed to evaluate the performance of senior secondary students and plays a critical role in determining their eligibility for higher education and employment opportunities.
As students across the nation began their exams, WAEC Liberia’s Head of National Office, Mr. Dale Gbotoe, issued a strong warning against fraudulent practices that threaten the integrity of the examination process. In an exclusive interview, Mr. Gbotoe expressed serious concern over the collection of so-called “flexibility fees” and the alarming trend of student camping in anticipation of leaked answers.
“WAEC does not collect flexibility fees,” Mr. Gbotoe firmly stated. “We are advising parents and students not to pay money to anyone claiming to represent WAEC or suggesting they can offer help during the exams. These are scammers enriching themselves under false pretenses.”
He called on all stakeholders—parents, students, and school administrators—to refrain from encouraging or participating in these unethical practices. According to Mr. Gbotoe, any school found to be involved in student camping will face severe consequences, including the cancellation of candidates’ results.
He described the trend of students gathering in secret locations before exams in hopes of gaining access to leaked questions as “a major threat to the integrity of the examination process.” Mr. Gbotoe urged students to remain focused, prepare honestly, and trust in their abilities. He also appealed to parents to monitor their children closely during this period and prevent them from leaving home under the guise of exam-related activities that may compromise their performance and the credibility of the examination.
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination is conducted annually in five English-speaking countries: Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. It is offered in two main forms—one for school candidates, who are typically final-year students enrolled in formal institutions, and another for private candidates who may wish to retake or improve their past performance.
Candidates typically write between eight and nine subjects, which include core subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science or General Science, and Social Studies, as well as elective subjects based on their areas of specialization like Arts, Science, Business, Technical, or Vocational studies.
Grading in WASSCE ranges from A1, indicating excellent performance, down to F9, which signifies failure. Only grades from A1 to C6 are considered credit passes and are essential for progressing to tertiary institutions or securing many job opportunities across the region.
As Liberia’s 53,201 candidates progress through the exam period, which is scheduled to run until June 10, the nation holds its collective breath, hoping for successful outcomes that reflect the hard work and determination of its young scholars. The WASSCE continues to serve not only as an academic assessment but also as a powerful symbol of educational aspiration and integrity throughout West Africa.
