Editorial
A second look at examination malpractices
Dear Editor
A revelation from a recent study that cheating or examination malpractices is on the rise is quite worrying.
The study which covered the periods from 2021 and 2023 showed a massive a two per cent increase from 2021 to 10 per cent in 2023.
What is even more alarming is the number of students involved in the act.
According to the report, the over 10,000 students that engaged in the act rose to close to 45,000 in 2023 and identified collusion, bringing of foreign materials and mobile phones into examination halls and impersonation as some of the common forms of malpractice.
This is a menace the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has made a lot of noise about not just in the media but through several interactive platforms.
Years in and out, several papers from venues where those suspicions arose have had their papers cancelled and a few arrested and prosecuted. All of this is to serve as a deterrent to others.
But if the problem persists after all of these, then it means there may be something wrong somewhere that the authorities have not averred their minds to.
Much as the authorities identify ways to curb the aforementioned mode of operation, the Ghana Education Service (GES) should also intensify its supervision on the preparations of the school children for the exams.
Considering the numbers involved in the act against the overall numbers registered, they still form a minority of children who may be ill prepared for the exams.
The GES officials from its monitory department should pay unexpected visits to the schools and observe at first hand the kind of preparation the children are given.
After that, we’ll be in a better position to know what actually the problem with the children is.
Samuel Ofoli Kwei,
Asylum Down-Accra
Editorial
Don’t prophesy to cause fear and panic
Dear Editor,
Curtains on the year 2024, is gradually drawing to close, with many, achieving their dreams while others hope for a better 2025.
Amidst this, churches have planned their watch night services with various themes for the night hoping to give Christians and Ghanaians at large a chance to enter the New Year with optimism.
At the service, there will prophecies or predictions for the coming year, with some causing fear and panic among the populace.
In the year 2021, the Ghana Police Service banned prophecies during 31st night services, also known as watch night services.
Such prophecies, according to the police has caused fear and panic among targeted persons
It seems churches and their leaders have forgotten about this ban, I wish to call in the police to remind the churches to enforce the ban which were mostly about the death of prominent persons in the society.
I believe this will again bring sanity into the Christianity and the society at whole
Editorial
Provide adequate security for Christmas
Christmas is four days away and Ghanaians are preparing feverishly for the grand occasion.
It is a momentous occasion on the calendar of Christians. It marks the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
After the various church services to mark it, the whole atmosphere turns into one for merrymaking while people also share gifts to friends and family members.
Interestingly, the same period witnesses a surge in criminal activities as cases of armed robbery, phone snatching and other negative vices happen.
That is the reason why I want to appeal to the security agencies to be watchful within the period.
The Police, especially is already stretched as a result of the recent elections held and preparation for the January 7 swearing in ceremony to follow but that should not leave criminals with a field day.
Just as the service intensify patrols within the period, I wish to appeal for a repetition of the exercise to curb crime in the society.
Residents can also help in this regard by providing information on the activities of strange characters in our various vicinities.
With these in place, one can be sure that the celebration would be peaceful and enjoyable, devoid of troubles
