The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has paid the $12 million arrears its owed the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

The ministry was told by the regional examination body that the country would be excluded from this year’s exams if the arrears are not paid. 

Louis Moses Mendy, permanent secretary at the ministry, told a news conference that the matter has been resolved.

“This development came following a successful virtual meeting held on Friday 25 February 2022 amongst stakeholders including the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry Finance and Economics Affairs and the West African Examination Council during which the issue of arrears was amicably resolved,” he said.

“One of the decisions is that we must pay our arrears as a country. Initially they put it at 50% and our WAEC arrears are over U$11 to US$12 million, 50 % of that is over D350 million.”

Mr Mendy urged regional education directorates, school principals, parents, students and the Public that the Gambia will conduct the 2022 GABECE and WASSCE as planned.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba