Examination Malpractice: A Persistent Challenge in Senior High Schools in Ghana

Examination malpractice has‌ become one of‍ the most persistent threats to the credibility of Ghana’s educational assessment system, particularly at the Senior High School (SHS) level. Despite continuous interventions by the West African‍ Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Ghana Education‍ Service (GES), incidents such as collusion, impersonation, digital⁠-aided cheating, and question leakages continue to‌ rise, revealing systemic weaknesses and structural pressures within the educational landscape. This review synthesizes current empirical and conceptual literature to examine the nature, forms, underlying causes, and far-reaching consequences of examination malpractice in Ghanaian SHS‍s. Using a structured literature search across Google Scholar⁠, JSTOR, ERIC, and WAEC annual reports, the review identifies high-stakes examination pressure, inadequate preparation,‌ technological innovations, weak enforcement mechanisms,‌ and societal normalisation of dishonest practices as key drivers. Additionally, the paper highlights contemporary challenges such as the emergence of encrypted digital platforms used for real-time⁠ cheating and⁠ the commercialization of questions leaks syndicates.‍ The‌ review‍ further analyzes policy measures and school level mitigation efforts before identifying notable gaps in existing literature, including limited longitudinal studies, insufficient regional risk analyses‌, and underexplored psychological dimensions of academic dishonesty. Recommendations proposed‌ in this review include strengthening continuous assessment, enhancing surveillance technologies,‌ intensifying⁠ ethical training for invigilators and‍ teachers, tightening sanctions, and expanding academic integrity campaigns. The paper concludes that tackling examination malpractice in Ghana requires holistic, multi-stakeholder reforms aimed at‌ improving assessment integrity, strengthening institutional accountability, and cultivating a national culture of honesty and academic responsibility.