Monrovia, Liberia – In order to ensure that students with disabilities have equal opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and obtain the credentials they are entitled to, President Joseph N. Boakai has urged the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) body to acknowledge the urgency and significance of developing inclusive examination policies and practices.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the WAEC 73rd Annual Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town Liberia, President Boakai stated that the examinations body can remove the obstacles that students with disabilities face by implementing accommodations like extra time, alternate formats, special care, and accessible testing locations.
“We can cultivate an educational environment where each student is empowered and given the opportunity to shine even more brilliantly than people anticipate,” he added.
WAEC’s 73rd Annual Council Meeting, which brings together the chiefs of the examination bodies from five African nations Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and the Gambia occurs once every five years. A system of inclusive education sends a strong message, the President said, “we value diversity and we are committed to ensuring that every single citizen can contribute to our nation’s development.”
As they work toward a truly equal education system for the country and the region, President Boakai asked leaders of WAEC to work with Liberia’s educational system to support the rights of all students and to hear the views of those who are frequently ignored.
“The 73rd anniversary of WAEC should ignite a renewed passion for education in everyone’s heart,” the Liberian leader said, adding that the strength of the five countries lies in their ability to educate and develop every person, ensuring that no one is left behind.
He said that WAEC has led the way in West African educational evaluation for more than 50 years, guaranteeing that African students take reliable, standardized tests.
In addition to facilitating a common curriculum, guaranteeing quality assurance, and fostering regional integration, the Liberia leader said WAEC has done a great job of playing its role in providing a framework that permits transparency, accountability, and fairness in evaluating academic achievements throughout the region.
“This 73rd year of WAEC is a testament to the resilience of our educational systems and the dedication of our educators in fostering tomorrow’s leaders,” he said.
African students have also been encouraged by President Boakai to keep in mind that education is both a luxury and a duty, emphasizing that their success is determined by the integrity and character they develop along the road as much as by the outcomes they attain.
He explained that young people must study hard, aim for perfection, and make their ambitions come true if they want to succeed.
“To our parents, as well as our educational engineers, ministers, deputy ministers, assistant ministers, presidents and deans of colleges and universities, school superintendents, county and district education officers, and school administrators, you are the foundation of our educational systems, and your efforts are not in vain. You encourage the next generation to have ambitious dreams, exercise critical thought, and grow up to be responsible citizens,” President Boakai remarked.
The President also called on the examinations body to continue to prioritize educational funding, infrastructure, and teacher training programs and the certification and licensing of teachers to enhance learning outcomes.
“Embrace Technology: Let’s modify our teaching strategies to incorporate technology, encouraging digital literacy in our students, since we live in a digital age,” he continued.
Every child should have access to the resources they need to achieve, regardless of their circumstances, according to President Boakai. “We are aware, however, that students and people with disabilities frequently encounter major obstacles that make it more difficult for them to study and successfully exhibit their knowledge in comparison to others.”
