LIBERIA HOSTS WAEC’S 73RD ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING WITH CALL FOR INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

March 18, 2025

By Sylvester Choloplay

Monrovia:  After 15 years, Liberia has once again hosted the 73rd Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), an achievement made possible by the full support of President Joseph Boakai.

The event, held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, brought together education leaders from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia to discuss the future of standardized examinations in the region.

In an interview with Spoon TV before the official opening ceremony, WAEC Liberia’s Boss, Mr. Dale Gbotoe stated: “For the first time in 15 years, Liberia is hosting the 73rd Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), an event made possible through the full financial and moral support of President Joseph Boakai”.

Delivering the keynote address on the opening of the conference, President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education, emphasizing that no child should be left behind, regardless of their circumstances.

 He called on WAEC to implement policies that accommodate students with disabilities, ensuring they have equal opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. “An inclusive education system sends a powerful message: that we value diversity and are committed to ensuring that every single citizen can contribute to our nation’s development,” President Boakai declared.

The President urged WAEC to introduce alternative testing formats, additional time, and accessible examination centers for students with disabilities. The Liberian Chief Executive also highlighted the need for increased investment in education, advocating for teacher training, improved infrastructure, and the integration of digital learning to equip students with 21st-century skills.

The Head of WAEC Liberia, Mr. Dale Gbotoe, acknowledged President Boakai’s decisive leadership and support, stating that Liberia’s ability to host the meeting after 15 years was a direct result of the President’s commitment to strengthening education in the country.

He said Liberia has played a historic role in WAEC, having signed the Council’s founding Convention in Monrovia in 1982 before it was ratified in 1984. “As WAEC continues to shape standardized examinations and educational policies in West Africa, President Boakai’s push for inclusivity and equitable learning opportunities is expected to influence key policy discussions,” Mr. Gbotoe mentioned The WAEC Boss in Liberia further disclosed that by successfully hosting this year’s WAEC conference, Liberia under President Boakai’s leadership has reaffirmed its dedication to quality education and regional academic cooperation, setting the stage for meaningful reforms in the years ahead.