By Jamesetta D Williams
MONROVIA-Liberian 12th graders eagerly awaiting results of this year’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will have to wait for another time, as the head of WAEC Liberia has dispelled widespread social media rumors that the 2025 WAEC results would be out today, Wednesday.
Students are apparently having sleepless nights ahead of the release of this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results which their graduations hinge on in keeping with Ministry of Education mandate that no graduation for 12th graders in the absence of results.
Mr. Dale Gbotoe, responding to social media reports that the entity was on the verge of releasing results today, described the reports as “false and misleading.”
He instead said results will be released on or before August 15.
Mr. Gbotoe told reporters at MICAT’s Tuesday briefings that recent rumors suggesting the results were already out are untrue and misleading.
“There’s news accumulating on social media and some media alerts claiming WAEC results are out. We don’t know the source. We’ve come to tell you that the WASSCE results will be released officially between Tuesday, August 12, and Thursday, August 14, 2025,” Hon. Gbotoe said.
Gbotoe revealed that WAEC is about 99 percent ready with the results and has already submitted them to the Ministry of Education for administrative processing before public release.
“As of today, we’ve sent the results to the Ministry of Education. Once the Ministry sets a final release date, we’ll go public—possibly using the MICAT press briefing platform on either a Tuesday or Thursday,” he added.
WAEC confirmed that over 80,000 candidates sat for the exams this year, and the Government of Liberia paid fees for nearly all 12th graders in public schools.
“We had a little over 88,000 candidates this year, with government covering fees for more than 80,000 students—particularly those in public schools,” Gbotoe disclosed, appreciating the administration for its commitment.
Gbotoe also explained that the delay in releasing results was partly due to irregularities detected in machine-readable answer sheets.
“Some students shaded extra spaces on their answer sheets. Our machines flagged those, so we had to manually correct them to ensure fairness,” he noted. He also warned that such practices delay result processing and must be avoided in future.
To prevent similar issues, WAEC plans to restructure how answer sheets are handled and sent to schools in advance to avoid manipulation.
Also speaking at the briefing, Deputy Minister for Instruction Emma Furday reaffirmed that WAEC Liberia will release the results on or before August 15, and cautioned the public and media against spreading false news.
“As the Deputy Minister and Chief Government Nominee to WAEC, I want to make it clear results are not yet out. No one should claim otherwise,” Furday stressed. “Any platform or individual sharing early results is misinforming the public.”
She further confirmed that Liberia, like other West African countries, conducts WASSCE under different conditions, and timelines may vary from country to country.
The public is urged to remain calm and await the official release of the WASSCE results from WAEC Liberia, which will be made available via the Ministry of Education and credible media channels next week. Authorities have warned against trusting unofficial sources or social media speculation.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
