Verity Newspaper has come across a communication addressed to the Minister of Education, calling for reforms intended to decouple graduation ceremonies from WASSCE results in Liberia.
The National Association of Liberia School Principals and Proprietors brought to the attention of Education Minister Dr. Jarso M. Jallah two critical issues that they believe are currently affecting the education system in Liberia.
These issues pertain to the delays in releasing the West African Examination Council (WAEC) results and the timeline constraints regarding graduation ceremonies and their linkage to the release of WAEC/WASSCE results. According to the group, the delay in releasing the WAEC/WASSCE results after the 45-day statutory deadline set by WAEC has usually caused significant disruptions within Liberia’s educational landscape.
Unlike the other four West African countries, where results are not linked to graduation exercises, they noted that Liberia’s unique practice of releasing results before graduation ceremonies has inadvertently lowered the quality and significance of these ceremonies.
This practice compromises the educational system’s efficiency and poses challenges for students transitioning to higher education institutions, which typically commence in September each year.
The group of principals and proprietors indicated in their letter that the delay has often affected the Ministry of Education’s prescribed timeline for graduation exercises within the academic calendar, which usually calls for ceremonies to be held from August 1-31.
They added that linking graduation to WAEC results over time has led to crosscutting stakeholder interests, fueling malpractices such as pressure on students to graduate, which can lead to a lack of long-term learning motivation, stress and mental health issues, and diminished value of education as a learning experience.
“This has increased their indulgence in multiple forms of malpractices.”
They argued that school administrators’ desire for high pass rates can compromise ethical standards, undermining the credibility of educational institutions and creating an environment where cheating is normalized.
“Teachers’ need for recognition through student success may lead to a diminished focus on actual teaching and learning.”
“Parents’ urgency to see their children graduate may result in the prioritization of immediate results over long-term integrity, enabling a culture of cheating and dishonesty, and undermining the value of education as a transformative experience,” the letter stated.
The Liberian school principals and proprietors highlighted that WAEC supervisors, proctors, and examiners have contributed to the loss of examination integrity by allegedly facilitating malpractices as a result of multiple stakeholders’ interests, thus undermining the fundamental purpose of the exams, which is to assess students’ knowledge and skills objectively.
The association is, however, proposing a fundamental change in the system by decoupling graduation ceremonies from the release of WAEC results.
“This strategic shift aims to address the root causes of malpractices, promote academic integrity, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the education system in Liberia.”
The educators believe that by unlinking graduation ceremonies from the release of WAEC results, several benefits can be realized, including a focus on academic excellence, where students will be encouraged to strive for academic success for their future academic and career prospects rather than focusing solely on passing exams for graduation purposes.
They maintained that this proposal, if considered, would lead to a reduction in malpractices by removing the pressure associated with passing exams for graduation, which can help curb malpractices among students, educators, and examiners and foster a culture of honesty and integrity within the education sector.
“Efficient Transition to Higher Education: Delinking graduation ceremonies from the release of WAEC/WASSCE results will ensure a smoother transition for students to higher education institutions, allowing for seamless academic progression.”
According to the group, their proposed policy would promote educational integrity, thereby emphasizing the importance of education for learning and personal growth rather than just certification.
This change can instill a sense of pride and integrity in students and educators alike.
“Dr. Jallah, we urge the Ministry of Education to consider these recommendations and work towards implementing a system that prioritizes academic integrity, student success, and the overall improvement of the education sector in Liberia.
By fostering a culture of academic excellence and ethical behavior, we can collectively strive towards a more robust and credible educational system that empowers our students to thrive in a competitive global environment.”
At the same time, they expressed their willingness to commit to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education and all stakeholders to address “these pressing issues and implement positive changes for the benefit of our students and the future of education in Liberia.”
