Over 150 students of Sekondi College were unable to sit the WASSCE Chemistry paper on Tuesday after heavy rains delayed their arrival at the exam centre.
The students, who were writing from a satellite centre, said downpours flooded key roads in the Sekondi-Takoradi area, slowing transport and leaving them stranded for hours.
By the time they reached the centre, WAEC officials had already closed the gates. According to WAEC rules, candidates who arrive after the paper starts and gates are shut are not permitted to enter the hall.
A supervisor at the centre confirmed the decision, stating officials had no discretion to admit latecomers once exams were underway.
Frustrated candidates are now pleading with WAEC and school authorities to grant them a special arrangement to write the paper. Some said they left home early but were cut off by flooded sections of the Takoradi-Market Circle road.
“We did our best to get here, but the rain made it impossible,” one student said. “We are begging WAEC to consider our situation.”
Sekondi College management acknowledged the incident and said it has reported the matter to WAEC’s regional office. Officials added that the final decision rests with the exam body.
The Western Regional Director of Education noted that weather-related disruptions have affected several schools this exam season, and called on WAEC to review contingency measures for future exams.
WAEC is yet to issue an official statement on whether the affected students will be given a chance to resit Chemistry.
Chemistry is a core subject for science students, and missing it could impact their final WASSCE grades and university admissions.