The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) was founded in 1952, and its mission is to be a premier examination organization that advances the educational objectives of all of its stakeholders.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is an examination body created by law to decide which exams are necessary for the public good in the English-speaking nations of West Africa, to administer the exams, and to issue certificates that are on par with those issued by comparable examining authorities internationally. Since its founding in 1952, the council has helped to improve education in Anglophone West African nations like Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gambia by organizing a variety of exams and awarding diplomas. Additionally, they established an endowment fund to support education in West Africa through lectures and financial aid for those who cannot afford it. Since its founding, it has maintained its position as one of West Africa’s most significant and well-known exams.
The council “has built a team of well-trained and highly motivated employees, and has administered Examinations that are valid and relevant to the educational objectives of member countries,” according to Dr. Adeyegbe, a former HNO of WAEC Nigeria (2004). More than three million applicants applied for the WAEC-organized tests in a single year. The council also supports the coordination of Examinations by other examination authorities (both local and international).
The Council’s Establishment
In December 1951, an ordinance (West African Examinations Council Ordinance No. 40) was approved by the legislative bodies of Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia. The West African Examination Council was authorized by the Ordinance to coordinate exams and provide certificates to students in several nations. Later, in 1974, during the annual conference held in Lagos, Nigeria, Liberia published its ordinance. The examination council was successfully formed, and in March 1953 it summoned its first meeting in Accra, Ghana. The registrar gave a quick update on the council’s work during the meeting.
Five committees were established at the same meeting to help the council. These committees include the Administrative and Finance Committee, the Local Committee, the Professional, Technical, and Commercial Examinations Committee, the School Examinations Committee, and the Public Service Examinations Committee. There were 26 attendees in all at this conference.
Read also about WAEC Recruitment Portal or WAEC Syllabus 2023
The West African Examinations Council is the top examining body in West Africa and was created by law to decide which exams are necessary for the public good in the English-speaking nations of West Africa, to administer the exams, and to issue certificates that are on par with those issued by comparable examining bodies internationally.
By virtue of this mission, the Council shall:
• Contribute to the advancement of quality education
• Watch out for upholding educational norms
• Help the people of West Africa see the enormous potentials that lie beyond tests.
Vision
Being a top-tier examining body that advances its stakeholders’ educational objectives
Mission
to continue being the top examining body in Africa, offering high-quality and trustworthy educational evaluation, supporting moral and academic excellence, and advancing sustainable human resource development and international cooperation.
Primary Values
• Excellence
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Team effort
• Innovativeness
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