—- AS TOP EXECUTIVES CAUGHT IN CONSPIRACY

IPNEWS: LIBERIA has become notorious in recent years for thievery, corruption and the lack of governance and the rule of law.

Those negative vibrations have tainted Liberia’s image on the international scene and drawn unwarranted negativity to a post-war nation on the mend.

The 2022/2023 National exam of the West African Examination might have come and gone, however, an investigation by a consortium of investigative Journalist has recorded an unprecedented conspiracy of leaks that marked the just ended WAEC 2022/2023 exams that was administered between May 30-June 16, 2023.

In a series of investigation by the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, and the Oracle Daily Newspaper, have revealed complacency by WAEC Monrovia office in a one of the largest leaked of the exams that was conceded by Dale Gbotoe, Head of the National Office, West African Examination Council.

The leaked of the 2023 Exams of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Liberia office came after some several subjects of the exam’s booklets were spotted openly with students at various testing centers by unknown persons in Montserrado county.

The consortium investigation further how officers of the Liberian National Police were alerted of the leak conspiracy affecting all subjects and made arrest of two culprits only identified as Sarah Naomi Vakepi on June 2,2023, by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), while Prince, an assistant Examination officer at WAEC Head Office was arrested subsequently on June 3, 2023. All persons arrested were later identified to be close associates of Dale Gbotoe, head of the WAEC Monrovia office.

A copy of the investigation conducted by officers of the Liberia National Police, seen by consortium revealed how principal culprit Prince was later asked to be release by Dale Gbotoe, bringing an end to the entire investigation of conspiracy of the 2022/2023 WAEC Examination leak.

In 2016, similar leaked the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) lead to the cancellation of the exams by the Ministry of Education for 12th graders.

According to then, Assistant Registrar for Testing and Evaluation at WACE told journalists that the cancellation of the exams was due to alleged burglary at one of its storage facilities at Konola Mission in Margibi County, however, the incumbent Head of the WAEC Office here in Monrovia, Dale Gbotoe, has conceded the unprecedent leaked sparking concerns by the public of grossly undermining of government’s efforts to strengthen the education standards of Liberia.

Information gathered by the consortium says WAEC regional office with headquarters in Accra, Ghana, is currently investigating the unprecedented exam leaked. However, it could not comment on the status of the ongoing investigation.

The 2022/2023 exams were administered in four categories, including 12th graders, WASSCE, was administered to ninth graders for the Liberia Junior High School Certificate, while sixth grade for the Liberia Primary School Certificate and another for the third graders.

A total of 44,793 candidates, from 334 centers, and 809 schools sat the 2023 WAEC Exams. For the ninth grade, a total of 39,252 candidates from 1695 schools wrote the exams in the certificate program, while Sixth grade included 34,970 candidates from 332 centers, and 2,444 schools and Third grade, a total of 21,455 candidates from 476 centers sat the exams across the country.

Prior to the conduct of the 2022 /2023 National Exams, several students in populace city across the country, expressed concerns over the omission of some students within Montserrado County due to bad road conditions in reaching some parts of the country.

Dale Gbotoe, when contacted on the latest conspiracy for an interview declined, including reply to the Consortium SMS message inquiries.

In 2022, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reported the incessant leakages of examinations papers and outright cancellation, and the resolved to investigate the West African Examinations Council, W.A.E.C to avoid financial wastages.

“On September 15, 2021, in a notice issued by its Public Affairs Department, WAEC cancelled Physics 2 & 1 and Business Management 2 & 1 Examinations, which were originally scheduled for Wednesday, September 15, 2021, citing leakage of some examination papers on social media as a reason for the cancellation.” A statement from the Nigerian Ministry of Education read.

The West African Examinations Council-(WAEC), a regional examining body, with its headquarters in Accra, Ghana, was established in 1952 after the Governments of Ghana (then Gold Coast), Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia enacted the West African Examinations Council Ordinances in 1951. Investigation continues.