Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for sweeping reforms to examination security, including a proposal to ban teachers and invigilators from using mobile phones during tests, in a bid to curb rising concerns over staff involvement in exam malpractice.

The proposal, made during the swearing-in of the newly constituted National Education Inspectorate Board in Accra, follows growing evidence that not only students, but some teachers and supervisors, have played roles in facilitating cheating.

Minister Iddrisu described the use of mobile phones in exam halls as a risk to the credibility of national assessments, pointing out that electronic devices in the hands of school staff could be a gateway to unethical assistance.

“The idea of a student having access to phones in the examination room is a no-no. Probably, we have to even review this concept to include the usage of phones by examiners and supervisors,” he said.

The Education Ministry has received reports suggesting that a number of exam supervisors may have been complicit in providing unauthorised help to students, including sending answers through mobile devices or turning a blind eye to cheating.

Iddrisu stressed that while mobile phones are occasionally needed by examiners for official communication such as coordinating logistics or reporting incidents, this must not become a loophole for malpractice.

He suggested that stricter policies should be implemented that could include limit mobile phone access entirely within examination centres.

“I would have pronounced a complete ban on phone usage, but we have cases when examiners will have to call for exam papers or send a report. But we expect strict compliance and enforceability of this,” he added.

The Minister's comments come amid mounting pressure to improve transparency and fairness in the nation’s examination system, which has faced repeated scandals involving leaked questions and widespread cheating over the past decade.

Education analysts have welcomed the move as a long-overdue step toward restoring public trust in academic assessments.

While the proposal is still under review, the Education Ministry has hinted at immediate short-term measures, including surprise inspections and stiffer penalties for teachers found aiding in cheating.

Minister Iddrisu concluded his remarks with a clear warning stating that, any staff member caught abetting malpractice must face consequences and integrity must not be optional especially in our classrooms.