Published: April 3, 2026
MONROVIA – The head of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Liberia Office, Dr. Dale Gbotoe, says more than 200,000 students across the country have registered for this year’s national examinations, firmly dismissing circulating social media claims about the 2026 exam process.
Dr. Gbotoe made the disclosure on Thursday, April 2, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, outlining participation figures and clarifying government support for candidates.
Over 57,000 Candidates Sit WASSCE
According to Dr. Gbotoe, a total of 57,393 twelfth-grade students from 1,126 senior high schools across Liberia’s 15 counties have registered for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The figure includes candidates from three schools in neighboring Guinea operating under Liberia’s curriculum.
He explained that the inclusion of Guinea-based schools follows a government policy adjustment aimed at easing challenges faced by students living along the border.
“Since 2023, we have allowed those students to take the exams where they are,” he said, noting that the decision has helped students who previously struggled to access certification due to travel constraints.
Government Covers 12th-Grade Exam Fees
Dr. Gbotoe emphasized that the Government of Liberia has fully paid examination fees for all 12th-grade students, regardless of whether they attend public or private institutions.
“All 57,393 candidates did not pay a cent… the government paid the fees,” he stressed.
However, he raised concern over reports that some schools allegedly collected unauthorized fees from students under false pretenses.
Mixed Payment Structure for Lower Levels
At the junior high level, WAEC recorded 55,020 ninth-grade candidates. Of that number, the government covered fees for 21,361 public school students, while 33,659 candidates paid their own fees.
At the elementary level, 40,963 sixth-grade students and a similar number of third-grade candidates have registered, with parents responsible for covering examination costs.
WAEC Moves to Counter Misinformation
Dr. Gbotoe said the Council is prioritizing the smooth administration of all exams, beginning with the National Assessment Test for ninth graders scheduled to commence this month.
He underscored the importance of accurate information in maintaining public trust, particularly as misinformation continues to spread online.
“We thought the best thing we could do as a responsible institution is to inform the schools about the actual dates for the different examinations,” he said.
He dismissed reports suggesting irregularities in the conduct of the 2026 examinations, including claims related to River Cess and cross-border arrangements, emphasizing that WAEC has already released its official academic schedule.
Focus on Credibility and Smooth Administration
Dr. Gbotoe reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to ensuring credible, transparent and well-coordinated examinations nationwide.
He noted that clear communication and adherence to official guidelines remain essential to safeguarding the integrity of Liberia’s examination system amid growing public scrutiny.
Discussion about this post