On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, President Adama Barrow presided over the official opening of the 71st annual council meeting of the Governing Board of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), currently underway in Banjul.

In his address, President Barrow congratulated WAEC on their seventy-one (71) years of existence and commended them for their sincere service to the citizens of the Member Countries.

“I found it quite fascinating when I was informed that, among the regional bodies established during the colonial era, WAEC is the only body that has survived to this day,” Barrow applauded.

Barrow further sighted that his government continues to make interventions to domesticate and implement international education goals and targets, such as WAEC and others.

“We also reassess and restructure our education system to promote a democratic, vibrant, and progressive economy that would enhance improved living standards for all citizens,” he said.

“My government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, is revising the school curriculum. This exercise is the introduction of Civic Education at the senior secondary school level to instill greater citizenship awareness,” Barrow added.

The President outlines another development his government is undertaking in the education sector: increasing the number of examinable subjects for WASSCE.

“These subjects are now grouped into program areas to ensure that the learning and teaching process is student-centered and geared towards continuous learning and development,” he told the gathering.

President concluded by reaffirming his government’s commitment through the Ministry of Basic Education to assist Banjul’s WAEC office in providing equipment and materials to enhance the smooth conduct of valid and reliable examinations.