Its quality is, however, paramount. In this era, one is presumed a misfit if he or she does not go through the final examinations like the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Schooling is, however, progressive. That is, from the basic, through secondary, to tertiary. At the terminus of each stage, a universal examination is conducted to qualify one to the next level. Any of these levels is a transition to the next ladder of education.

Over the years, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has been responsible for the conduct of the BECE and WASSCE, respectively.

Teachers at these levels play a vital role in guiding and preparing candidates for the end-of-course examinations. Passing an examination depends on the collaborative efforts of both the learner and the facilitator, but principally the candidate. As some frantically endeavour to pass by studying hard, others put their hopes on teachers for assistance during the examinations.

During the conduct of BECE or WASSCE each year, teachers are caught helping candidates to cheat in diverse ways.

In the just-ended 2025 BECE, about 24 persons, made up of teachers, invigilators, as well as supervisors, were arrested for various infractions.

Some teachers smuggled solved questions to candidates, and other malpractices.

Why should a teacher involve him or herself in such an act? Subject teachers are the most fallible.

Is it the comparative/competitive nature of school results which is causing that?

Even at the school level, each teacher wants to prove that students pass the most in his or her subject area.

This extends to schools in the districts, municipalities, metropolises, as well as regions.

In any of these sectors, comparison and competition exist. League tables are drawn from circuits, districts, to national levels.

Those in charge must, instead of ranking schools by their performance in examinations, compare facilities in schools.

It is unfair to compare the performance of Adisadel College with that of a school in a rural area where there is no science or computer lab.

Isaac Kofi Ablekpe, 
Santrokofi, Bume.