-Students Claim Fear and Distraction During Examination; Authorities Urged to Investigate Competing Allegations
MONROVIA, Liberia – A controversy has erupted at the Muslim Congress High School examination center in Monrovia after a supervisor accused a police officer assigned to provide security of intimidating students during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while the officer countered with allegations that answers were being provided to candidates.
The incident, captured in a video that has since circulated widely on social media, has sparked concerns about examination security, student welfare, and the need for authorities to safeguard the integrity of one of the country’s most important academic assessments.
At the center of the dispute is Mohamed S. Watsin, a supervisor at the Muslim Congress examination center, who publicly accused a police officer identified as Mike/Mark Williams of entering examination corridors and creating an atmosphere of fear among students sitting the WASSCE.
According to Watsin, examination guidelines prohibit police officers from entering examination halls unless specifically invited by the supervisor.
“According to my supervisor’s book, no police officer is allowed to enter where the tests are being administered. They should stay outside until they are called by the supervisor,” Watsin stated in the video.
Students Allege Intimidation
In the video, Watsin questioned students about the officer’s presence and whether they felt intimidated.
Several students responded affirmatively, claiming the officer’s actions were affecting their ability to concentrate during the examination.
One student identified as Cassell M. Sheriff stated:
“The man is standing right before me. I am not able to write. I can’t concentrate. I can’t write. He’s intimidating me.”
Other students collectively told the supervisor that they felt intimidated and unsafe.
“We are intimidated,” students responded when questioned by Watsin.
In another classroom, students reportedly declared:
“We are not safe.”
The supervisor alleged that the officer’s presence had disrupted the examination environment and prevented students from working under what he described as a conducive atmosphere.
Alleged Demand for Payment
Watsin further alleged that the dispute stemmed from demands allegedly made by the police officer for payment from the school.
According to the supervisor, the officer had requested L$10,000 per day, a demand he claimed the institution refused to meet.
The supervisor accused the officer of retaliating against the school and students after the alleged demand was not satisfied.
“He is requesting for his salary from the school,” Watsin claimed in the recording. “Muslim Congress is not noted for bribery, so for that reason he decided to put the children under intimidation.”
The allegations have not been independently verified, and no evidence was presented in the video to substantiate the claim.
Officer Raises Allegation of Examination Irregularities
However, the video also captured a response from the police officer, who offered a dramatically different explanation for his actions.
At one point during the recording, the officer can be heard stating:
“Muslim Congress is giving answers to the students. Add this to the recording too.”
The remark suggests that the officer may have entered the examination area because he suspected examination malpractice or unauthorized assistance being provided to candidates.
No evidence was presented in the video to support the allegation, and Muslim Congress authorities did not publicly respond to the claim in the recording.
The accusation nevertheless introduces a second dimension to the controversy and raises questions that may require investigation by education authorities.
High-Stakes Examination
The incident comes as thousands of Liberian students across the country are sitting the 2026 WASSCE, a critical examination that determines eligibility for higher education opportunities in Liberia and across West Africa.
Administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the examination is conducted over several weeks and is regarded as one of the most important milestones in the academic lives of secondary school students.
Education experts note that candidates already face immense pressure due to the significance of the examinations and should be provided an environment that promotes concentration, fairness, and integrity.
Examination Performance Remains National Concern
The controversy also comes against the backdrop of continuing concerns about academic performance in Liberia’s educational system.
Recent WAEC results have shown persistent challenges in several core subjects despite gradual improvements in some areas. Education stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger supervision, improved learning conditions, and stricter enforcement of examination regulations to enhance performance and maintain public confidence in the system.
Past incidents involving alleged examination malpractice, unauthorized assistance, and breaches of examination protocols have occasionally surfaced during national examinations, prompting calls for vigilance from both school authorities and security personnel.
Calls for Official Investigation
As the video continues to circulate, education observers are urging the Ministry of Education, WAEC Liberia, and the Liberia National Police to investigate the competing allegations and establish the facts surrounding the incident.
If the supervisor’s claims are substantiated, observers say appropriate action should be taken to protect students from intimidation during examinations.
Conversely, if there is evidence supporting allegations of examination malpractice, authorities are expected to address those concerns in accordance with WAEC regulations and national education policies.
For now, the incident has highlighted the delicate balance between maintaining security at examination centers and ensuring that students are able to complete their examinations in a calm, fair, and conducive environment.
As thousands of candidates continue sitting the WASSCE across Liberia, many parents and educators are hoping that authorities will act swiftly to resolve the matter and preserve confidence in the integrity of the examination process.
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