The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has introduced a new initiative that allows students to resit their West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) exams.
The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, said in a statement on Sunday that the initiative named “WASSCE PC1,” would allow students to re-sit specific subjects in January and February this year.
Kapi noted that the initiative would remove the traditional waiting period for the next examination cycle.
“Students who access their results now and realise they need to resit one or two papers have until 8th January to register online through our website or at WAEC-accredited internet cafés.
“The exams will take place from 24th January to 15th February 2025,” Kapi stated.
Kapi further noted that students whose results have been cancelled are also eligible to sit the WASSCE PC1 exams, provided they have not been banned for malpractice.
The spokesman listed the registration process, noting that students have until January 8 to register online via WAEC’s website or through accredited internet cafés.
The examinations will run from January 24 to February 15.
Initially, the examinations will be conducted in regional capitals, as the maiden edition is expected to attract a relatively small number of candidates.
Kapi stressed that this approach ensures efficiency and accessibility for participants.
“Students can now avoid a year-long academic setback, thanks to this initiative,” he said.
He encouraged prospective candidates to take advantage of the registration period.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is a regional examination body established by law in 1952. It conducts a variety of examinations in the English-speaking West African countries, namely Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.
WAEC is responsible for administering the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for both school and private candidates, which serves as a key qualification for entry into higher education institutions.
In Nigeria, the 2025 WASSCE for private candidates will be held in February.
Meanwile, ASUS leader, Agbesanwa, said: “WAEC introduced a new policy that will allow students who failed their examinations to have a chance to resit the failed papers but gave a proviso which is the fact that such opportunity is for those who have not been banned and those whose papers were indicted as having cheated during the past examinations.
“As a stakeholder, I love this initiative but the date for the registration should be extended a bit till the end of the month, January.
“Many of the students who thought they can’t make their papers except they register for all papers will now have time to concentrate on the paper or papers they failed and by doing this, they can pass their papers if they read very well this time around and they pass their failed papers.
“To me I think that failed papers, if being sat for again and passed, will be added to their last results and it will clear off two sittings. Rather it will be one sitting except the body did not think in that direction.
“Furthermore, the students can still use this result to seek admission in any higher institution of their choice because WAEC said the examination will take place in March this year and definitely one expect results to be out quickly without any delay.
“Similarly, it will curb examination malpractices in a little way because passing examination syndrome by all means will reduce.
“Nevertheless, my fear is that students will not use this window to be more lackadaisical in their academics rather they will use this opportunity to read more and avoid resitting for any examination again.
“Though the cost of registration for the resit papers may be small and cannot be compared with the amount to be paid for the next examination, that doesn’t mean the students must see this window as a good opening to be lazy nor to be serious with their academics.
“Above all, it’s hoped that the body will be sincere with this policy and the reasons for introducing it will not be defeated.”
