Gambiaj.com – Banjul, The Gambia – The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), in collaboration with the Banjul Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has expressed serious concern over a widely circulating online article that alleges a planned leak of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

According to the article, a WhatsApp group has purportedly been created to facilitate examination malpractice specifically targeting Gambian candidates. The post goes further by naming individuals and providing mobile phone numbers allegedly linked to this illicit operation.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, MoBSE and WAEC Banjul categorically dismissed the claims as entirely fraudulent.

The two bodies stressed that the alleged scheme is nothing more than an attempt by unscrupulous individuals to deceive students and parents, jeopardize the sanctity of the national examinations, and exploit the anxieties of those preparing for the WASSCE.

“The public, especially candidates and parents, must understand that such activities are not designed to help students,” the statement read. “They are calculated moves to mislead and defraud.”

MoBSE and WAEC reassured the public that robust security mechanisms are already in place throughout the entire examination process. From the handling and storage of question papers to the final marking and results processing, multiple layers of protection have been implemented to prevent any unauthorized access or leaks.

The institutions also pointed out that most of the so-called leaked question papers circulated through such platforms are counterfeit and intended to scam desperate candidates.

Relying on these fraudulent materials, they warned, not only puts students at academic risk but also undermines their ability to succeed through merit and honest effort.

As part of their response, WAEC confirmed that it is working closely with national security services to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those involved in orchestrating or distributing such fraudulent schemes.

Candidates who knowingly participate or pay for access to these materials could also face criminal charges under Gambian law.

MoBSE has called on school principals and exam officials to remain vigilant and to intensify awareness campaigns among students.

The ministry urged administrators to warn their pupils about the serious consequences of engaging in any form of examination malpractice, particularly those lured by online schemes promising early access to exam papers.

The statement concluded with a renewed call for all stakeholders to stay committed to upholding the integrity of the examination system. “Candidates who believe they have access to unauthorized materials may attempt to violate exam regulations,” the ministry warned. “Therefore, heightened vigilance in exam halls and strict adherence to protocols are essential to ensuring fairness for all.”

The move by MoBSE and WAEC comes as a preemptive strike to restore public confidence in the 2025 WASSCE and protect students from falling prey to malicious actors ahead of the high-stakes examination period.