The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has debunked reports claiming it issued a directive restricting Senior Secondary School students to specific subjects for the forthcoming 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adeshina, and signed on behalf of the Head of National Office, the council described the reports as “unfounded assumptions” with no basis in fact.
WAEC clarified that it had not introduced any policy limiting candidates’ subject choices for the 2026 examination, stressing that students are to continue registering for subjects in accordance with existing guidelines.
“The attention of the West African Examinations Council has been drawn to misleading reports suggesting that the council has restricted candidates to certain subjects for the upcoming examination,” the statement read. “We wish to categorically state that no such directive was issued. The information is false, misleading, and should be disregarded by schools, students, and the general public.”
The examination body reiterated its commitment to transparency, fairness, and standardisation in the conduct of all its examinations across member countries.
WAEC also advised school administrators and candidates to rely only on official communications from the council’s offices and verified online platforms to avoid misinformation.
“The public is advised to verify any information purportedly from WAEC before taking action,” the statement added. “The council remains dedicated to maintaining the integrity of its examinations and ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.”
The council urged stakeholders in the education sector to focus on preparing students adequately for the forthcoming examinations rather than spreading unverified claims.
