BY: Princess C Kossigba
Monrovia, Liberia _ President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called for inclusive collaboration and dedication among member countries at the 73rd anniversary and the official reopening of the West African Examination Council after 15 years of closure.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday, March 19, 2025, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo, President Boakai reminded us of the critical role education plays in shaping the future of every nation.
According to him, education is not merely a pathway to knowledge but also an essential instrument of empowerment, economic growth, and social development.
Echoing the words of the late iconic South African statesman, Nelson Mandela, the Liberian Chief Executive stated,” Education is the most powerful weapon anyone can use to change the world.”
The President further narrated that for over half a century, WAEC has been at the forefront of educational assessment in West Africa, ensuring that students receive credible and standardized examinations.
Providing more insights, the West African Council has effectively fulfilled its role in providing a framework that promotes transparency, accountability, and fairness in assessing academic achievements across the region describing the West African Examination Council as instrumental in facilitating a common curriculum, ensuring quality assurance, and promoting regional integration.
As the council celebrates its 73rd year, this journey stands as a testament to the resilience of our educational systems and the unwavering commitment of educators in nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Today, we not only acknowledge WAEC’s significant contributions but also honor the tireless efforts of educators who selflessly dedicate their lives to imparting knowledge and guiding our youth toward a brighter future, he added.
President Boakai however detailed that, as the country reflects and celebrates the achievements of WAEC and its contributions to education in West Africa, let everyone also commit to addressing the challenges that remain crucial, together let us pledge to ensure, Equitable Access, making sure that every child regardless of socio-economic background has access to quality education, Investment in Education, a continuing effort to prioritize educational funding, Infrastructure, teacher training programs, and the certifications and licensing of teachers to enhance learning outcomes.
The Liberian Leader used the occasion to urge WAEC to recognize the urgency and importance of creating inclusive examination policies and practices; we must design testing environments that are accessible to students with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal opportunities to showcase their skills and earn the qualifications they deserve.
President Boakai encouraged the body that, by implementing accommodations including additional time, alternative formats, special care, and accessible testing locations, the barriers that hinder students with disabilities will be broken. Liberia and other African nations can foster an educational landscape where every learner is empowered and given a chance to shine even brighter than people expect them to shine, he stated.
We extend our profound congratulations to all international awardees of the International Excellence Winners Award for the WASSCE during the 2024 general test.
The West African Examination Council is an examination body that administers public examinations in various subjects for students across West Africa. It was established in 1952 by law and is responsible for conducting examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Member countries of the West African Examination Council include Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, and the Gambia.
The President concluded BY appreciating Educational Engineers, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Assistant Ministers, Presidents and Deans of Universities and Colleges, School Superintendents, County and District Educators, and parents for their pivotal role and support.
