Consumer advocacy group CUTS International has criticized the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for charging students between GH₵15 and GH₵25 to check their BECE and WASSCE results online. The group described the 21-year-old practice as “exploitative and unjustified,” urging the Council to end what it calls an unfair burden on students.
According to CUTS, students already pay significant fees to register for the exams, and asking them to pay again just to view their results makes no sense. “After students complete their exams, the least WAEC can do is give them free access to their performance,” the group stated.
CUTS also questioned WAEC’s failure to explain why result-checking continues to attract a fee in the digital age. The organization believes WAEC can provide result access at no extra cost using more efficient and inclusive methods like SMS notifications or integration with school systems.
The group has called on the Ministry of Education and Parliament to investigate the arrangement between WAEC and the private firms managing the result-checking platforms. CUTS raised concerns about whether these charges benefit students or serve commercial interests.
Many parents and students have welcomed the group’s intervention, with some saying the charges have discouraged timely access to results, especially in rural areas.
CUTS concluded by urging WAEC to reconsider its priorities and put the needs of students first. “Education is a right. Accessing exam results should be too,” the statement emphasized.
