Ho, March 17, GNA - Only two out of five Senior Secondary Schools in Ho turned up for a symposium to sensitise the students on regulations governing examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The symposium under the theme, "WAEC in nation building" was part of activities marking the 54th anniversary celebrations of the Council. Mr Justice Ansah-Asare, Volta Regional Branch Controller of Examinations of the Council expressed disappointment at the situation and said it had undermined the purpose for the symposium. "I must confess, I am disappointed that all the schools we invited failed to turn up with their teachers."

The over 500 seat capacity WAEC hall was virtually empty except for workers of the Council and about 60 students and their teachers. Mr Kofi Mensah, Ho Municipal Director of Education said the greatest asset of a nation was her human resource and a nation could only develop when the people were properly trained and educated. He noted that activities of WAEC directly improved proficiency of workers leading to improved work output. Mr Mensah said in view of the important role WAEC played in human resource development of the nation, it was important everyone assisted the council to ensure rules and regulations established for the conduct of examinations were obeyed.

"We should not seek shortcuts and other unapproved procedures to obtain assessments we do not deserve," he added. Mr Kofi Torku, Assistant Director in charge of Administration and Finance at the Ghana Education Service (GES) called on the Volta Regional branch of WAEC to improve its customer relations. "I wish the management would take this matter in good faith, give some concern and take up necessary action to improve relations accordingly," He added.

Mr Torku advised students to refrain from the "unforgivable sin" of cheating in examinations and study hard to be adequately prepared for the examinations. 17 March 06