By Grace Q. Bryant
The head of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Liberia, Dale Gbotoe, has disclosed that a total of 50,410 candidates have registered for the upcoming 2024 exams.
Gbotoe made the disclosure at the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism’s regular press briefing in Monrovia.
Speaking on the occasion, the WAEC boss revealed that the exam is scheduled to commence on May 15 and conclude on June 4, and that the examination will cover nine subjects, with a total of 24 papers.
Gbotoe revealed that, out of the registered candidates, 69.42 percent are from private schools, accounting for 34,903 individuals. Conversely, 18.97 percent come from the public sector, represented by 185 schools.
When discussing candidate preferences, Gbotoe noted that 30.58 percent of candidates, totaling 15,417, are from public schools.
He highlighted that the Government of Liberia was only able to pay the WASSCE fees for both senior and junior high students in public schools, and that the initiative covered the examination fees for 975 schools, exclusively in the public sector. This initiative covers a significant portion of the candidate pool, with 39.25 percent of the total candidates being beneficiaries.
Gbotoe mentioned that the concurrent administration of the Liberian Junior High School Certificate exam, is scheduled from May 27 to May 29, and that the examination will encompass four subjects.
Meanwhile, Gbotoe emphasized that, unlike in the past where the WAEC examination format involved administering two subjects daily, WASSCE offers flexibility, allowing candidates to sit for at least one subject per day.
He said, with the registration of 50,410 candidates for the WASSCE in Liberia, education activities are anticipated to culminate in Montserrado County, reflecting the concerted efforts of candidates, educators, and stakeholders in advancing academic pursuits in the county region.
