WAEC Blames Global Supply Disruptions for Delay in Calculator Distribution
MONROVIA – The Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dale Gbotoe, has attributed the failure to provide calculators to students sitting this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to global supply chain challenges linked to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Speaking in an interview with The Closing Argument (TCA) on Thursday, Gbotoe said the institution was unable to distribute calculators before the commencement of the examinations due to delays in procurement and shipment.
He, however, assured candidates and schools that relief is on the way, revealing that WAEC expects to receive its first batch of calculators this weekend for onward distribution across the country.
Despite the setback, Gbotoe said the national examination process is proceeding smoothly.
“Every examination process comes with its own challenges, but overall, things are progressing well,” he noted.
The WAEC Liberia boss also expressed satisfaction with the security surrounding the examinations, emphasizing that no examination paper has leaked ahead of schedule.
“We are pleased that there has been no leakage of examination questions so far, which is a positive sign for the integrity of the process,” he said.
Gbotoe used the opportunity to warn students against engaging in the practice commonly known as “camping,” where candidates gather in unauthorized locations to seek unfair advantages during examinations.
He stressed that WAEC and relevant authorities are taking the issue seriously and that anyone found violating examination regulations will face disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, WAEC disclosed that a total of 57,391 candidates are sitting this year’s national examinations across Liberia.
The examinations, which commenced recently, are being conducted at various centers nationwide under heightened monitoring measures aimed at ensuring credibility and fairness in the process.
