2024 WASSCE Social Studies Examiners Report: Shocking Lessons for 2025 Candidates

• 2024 WASSCE Social Studies Examiners Report and What 2025 WASSCE Candidates Must Learn From It.
• The reasons why candidates did not perform better have been outlined in the report to help candidates do better.

The 2024 WASSCE Social Studies Examiners’ Report released by WAEC ahead of the 2025 WASSCE for school candidates is not only shocking but also provides candidates for 2025 valuable insight and lessons to help them perform well while avoiding errors of their predecessors.

In this post, WAEC EXAM TIPS carefully shares the details and provided more explanations to help candidates do well. Social Studies at the WASSCE remains one of the most passed subject however, the rate of pass is still low and can increase by some 20% more if candidates consider the examiner’s report and its content and if teachers make good use of it while preparing their candidates for the examination.

According to WAEC, the standard of the 2024 Social Studies WASSCE paper for school candidates comparable to that of the previous years, with respect to structure and spread of questions. The questions were within the scope of the Social Studies examination syllabus.

It added that the performance of students was not so different from that of 2023 however the 2024 outcome was just an inch higher. This means the difference in performance was not significanctly different from the previous years.

SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS IN THE 2024 WASSCE SOCIAL STUDIES PAPER

(1) Thorough knowledge and understanding of the subject matter: A good number of brilliant candidates exhibited appreciable knowledge of the
issues in question, particularly on questions drawn from Governance, Politics and Stability and Social and Economic Development sections.

(2) Application of the subject register:  Most of the candidates were able to apply the appropriate subject terminologies in
answering the questions. They also provided apt examples in line with arguments and responses provided. This strength was particularly exhibited in candidates’
responses to Questions 6b and 8 which were on concepts of independence and selfreliance, and the effects of unemployment respectively.

(3) Coherence in presentation: Most of the candidates presented their responses in a coherent manner, i.e. the points they provided appeared to reinforce each other. This demonstrates some level of mastery over the topics examined.

SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES IN THE 2024 WASSCE SOCIAL STUDIES EXAM

(1) Challenge with comprehension: Some candidates appeared to have difficulties understanding the real demands of the question. Such candidates were observed providing responses that would have better suited a different question under the same topic.

(2) Challenge with practical situations: Candidates had difficulties in demonstrating how the theory learnt could be applied in practical life situations. For example, for Question 3 where candidates were required to suggest practicable measures that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could adopt to control illegal mining in Ghana, most of the candidates’Mresponses showed they had difficulty in this area.158

SUGGESTED REMEDIES TO WEAKNESSES
(1) Extensive reading:  Candidates are admonished to read a wide range of literature on social studies and other materials that may not necessary be for examination purpose so as to expand their knowledge of social issues.

(2) Formation of discussion groups: Candidates are advised to form discussion groups where they can discuss among themselves some practical issues as they apply to the social studies discipline.

(3) Discussion of past questions: Teachers are entreated to discuss past questions with candidates so as to make them familiar with the demands of particular questions.

DETAILED COMMENTS

Question 1
(a) Explain the concept “socialisation agent.”
(b) In what four ways do educational institutions impact the individual in the socialisation process?

(i) General Comments
This question was a popular one as majority of the candidates attempted it and had very high marks.

(ii) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths:
Candidates showed in-depth knowledge of the subject matter of the question
They were able to identify the various ways educational institutions impact individuals in the socialisation process.

(iii)Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
Some candidates lacked a clear understanding of the topic and thus ended up producing the explanation of socialisation as that of socialisation agent.
Some candidates could not provide practical examples of how their schools or educational institutions played a role in the socialisation process.

(iv)Expected Responses from Candidates
(a) A socialisation agent is a person who interacts with the individual in the community to enable him/her acquire desirable knowledge, values and skills to fit into the society. The agents include parents, teachers, etc.159

(b)
(i) Role modelling.
(ii) Training on cultural and societal norms.
(iii)Participation in cultural activities.
(iv)Discipline.
(v) Exposure to other cultures.
(vi)Counselling.

Question 2
(a) Establish the differences between interpersonal relationship and interdependent relation.
(b) Discuss four ways interdependent relationship promote community development in Ghana.

(i) General Comments
This question appeared not to be popular among candidates as most of them avoided this question.

(ii) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
The few candidates who were able to attempt it very well exhibited great understanding of the terms beyond just the social studies discipline. They were able
to demonstrate how relying on each other was essential to promoting development in Ghana.

(iii)Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
Most of the candidates who attempted this question could not establish a clear distinction between interpersonal relationship and interdependent relations.

(iv)Expected Responses
Ways interdependent relationship promote community development in Ghana
• Prioritisation of needs
• Accepting alternative ideas for problem solving
• Mobilization of community support
• Adoption of positive attitudes towards community development
• Obeying rules and regulations
• Promote peace and harmony in the community160

Question 3
Suggest to your government five practicable measures that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can adopt to control illegal mining in Ghanaian communities.

(a) General Comments
This was the least popular question, thus, very few candidates answered it.
(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
Few candidates were able to identify the following significant control measures:
• Public education;
• Creation of alternative employment opportunities;
• Law enforcement;
• Establishment of community task-force.

(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
Most of the candidates who answered this question lacked information about the role of the EPA and as such ended up writing on prevention of illegal mining in the
general sense.

(d) Expected Responses
• Public education/sensitisation on the effects of illegal mining.
• Collaboration with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and World Health Organisation (WHO) and other organisations that protect the
environment.
• Reclamation of destroyed lands.
• Advising central government and local government authorities.
• Enforcement of environmental laws/sanctions.
• Improved security measures.
• Use of modern technology in mining activities.
• Implementing a national policy to protect the environment against mining.161

Question 4
(a) (i) What is “self-identity”?
(ii) Highlight two ways the concept “self” can be expressed in an individual.
(b) Justify any four reasons that make it necessary for an individual to know him/her self?

(a) General Comments
Candidates found it difficult to explain “self-identify.” A number of the candidates explained the term as “self.”
(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
Few candidates were able to list and explain some crucial reasons why the individual should know him or herself citing some points such as:
• Enhanced relationships;
• Improved decision-making.

(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
Candidates could not sufficiently:
• Explain self-identity to distinguish it from “self.”
• Justify the importance of knowing him or herself to their personal development.

(d) Expected Responses
Why it is necessary for the individual to know him/herself
(i) It helps the individual to take the right decisions
(ii) Making of right choices at the right time
(iii)Living closely and communicating well with others
(iv)Identification of positive qualities within the individual
(v) Identification of weaknesses/short comings
(vi) Building self-confidence
(vii) Appreciation of other people’s perceptions, ideas, etc.162

Question 5
(a) Explain the concept “leadership.”
(b) Identify two roles played by each of the following leaders in community development:
(i) Father/parent
(ii) Assemblyman/woman

(a) General Comments
This was a very popular question attempted by most of the candidates. Performance
was generally outstanding; with some high marks.
(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
(i) Understanding of the term
Most of the candidates were able to cogently explain the term “leadership” very well to merit the full marks.
(ii) Application of ideas
A good number of the candidates were able to relate to practical roles played by the father/parent and assembly member and produced them as responses to the
question.

(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
i. Some candidates explained the term “leader” instead of “leadership.” These candidates were perhaps confused or did not read the question well.
ii. Some candidates merely listed the points with any explanation or examples.

(d) Expected Responses
i. Father/Parent
• Exercise authority over the family members
• Decision-maker
• Provides the need of the family
• Role model

ii. Assemblyman/Woman
• Represents the central government at the community level
• Mobilises the people to undertake self-help projects
• Representation of the people at the local government level
• Problem solving
• Development facilitator163

Question 6
(a) Explain the following:
(i) Self-reliance;
(ii) Self-sufficiency.
(b) In what four ways can the individual apply the concepts of independence and self-reliance for personal development?

(a) General Comments
Most of the candidates avoided this question, making it very unpopular. The marks obtained by candidates varied from average to high.

(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
Few candidates demonstrated the following strengths:
(i) Understanding of the two concepts and their differences
(ii) Application of the concepts to personal life.
(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
(i) Inappropriate use of analogies

A number of the candidates used analogies to explain the concepts and that was not acceptable. Some of the responses were:
• Self-reliance is like being your own super-hero, you have got your
own powers, skills and abilities to achieve your goals.
• Self-sufficiency is like being a master chef in your own kitchen, you have got all the ingredients and cooking skills to whip up a storm.

(ii) The candidates could not apply the concept to their personal life and deduce the essence of interdependence from it.
(d) Expected Responses
(i) Development of potentials.
(ii) Identification of sources of resources.
(iii) Knowledge of the environment.
(iv) Prudent management of resources.
(v) Seeking support or assistance where necessary.
(vi) Avoiding individualism.

Question 7
(a) Distinguish between the following:
(i) Political independence
(ii) Economic independence
(b) Highlight any four responsibilities the political independence of Ghana imposes on the government.

(a) General Comments
This question was not very popular with candidates and those who attempted it had average marks.

(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
Few brilliant candidates exhibited understanding of governance issues, thereby were able to discuss the various issues identified very well.
(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
(i) Omission of conjunctions.
Most of the candidates omitted the conjunction words such as while, but, whereas, etc. thereby failing to distinguish between the two terms.

(ii) Insufficient knowledge.
Most of the candidates did not have adequate information on the responsibilities imposed by political independence. Some candidates
ended writing about the importance of independence.

(d) Expected Responses
(i) Inculcating in the citizenry the concept of nationalism
(ii) Development of positive work attitudes
(iii)Promoting industrialisation
(iv)Development of an efficient tax system
(v) Human resource development
(vi)Ensuring effective internal and external security.165

Question 8
Discuss five ways in which high unemployment rate among the youth affects the sustainability of growth and development in Ghana.
(a) General Comments
This question was very popular and was answered by majority of the candidates. The performance of candidates for this question was very encouraging with very
high marks.

(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
(i) Adequate explanation
Most of the candidates were able to explain unemployment very well, highlighting all the critical ingredients.

(ii) Relation of unemployment to social life
The responses of candidates on the effects of unemployment showed that they
could relate to practical consequences of the term in society.
(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
(i) Wrong spellings
Some of the candidates used words and terms they could not spell. A number of candidates wrote “abrow drain” instead of brain drain. They may appear to have been in a hurry and so did not pay attention to their write-ups.

(ii) Lack of statistics
Candidates could not support their responses with the appropriate statistics on unemployment. While it was not a requirement, this would have enriched their
responses.

(d) Expected Responses
(i) Increase in social vices.
(ii) Increase in rural-urban drifts.
(iii)Increase in brain drain.
(iv)Low productivity.
(v) Severe pressure on environment.
(vi)Low savings and investment.
(vii) Low revenue from taxes.166

Question 9

(a) State four major characteristics of Ghana’s population structure.
(b) Highlight four socio-economic implications of the current population structure on Ghana.

(a) General Comments
The question was also very popular with the candidates. There were marked variations in the marks obtained; from low, average to high.

(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
Most of the candidates were able to provide information on the structure of the population of Ghana, in some cases giving historical facts.

(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
Some of the candidates could not:
(i) Connect high population growth rate on the society or economy
(ii) Identify the implication of a youthful population.
(iii) Justify how a rapidly growing population could have implications for employment.
(d) Expected Responses
(i) High dependency
(ii) Low productivity
(iii)High budget on education and other social services
(iv)Unemployment
(v) Low standard of living
(vi)Planning challenges
(vii) Pressure of social amenities

Question 10
(a) List four basic requirements for starting a business venture in Ghana.
(b) In what four ways can the establishment of indigenous enterprises help to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.

(a) General Comments
This was another popular question answered by majority of candidates. Candidates scored very high marks for the part (a) but the performance for part (b) was varied.

(b) Summary of Candidates’ Strengths
(i) Understanding of business requirements and operations
Candidates’ responses indicated that they understood the conduct of businesses in Ghana. They were able to list the requirement of starting a business in Ghana. Some even listed things that were required for complex business set-ups.

(ii) Appreciations of the factors of production
The responses of candidates showed that they knew of the various factors of
production and when in the business life they were needed.

(c) Summary of Candidates’ Weaknesses
Non-adherence to instructions: Some of the candidates listed complex requirements for setting up a business while the question was on the basic requirements. Consequently, points such as tax identification number, digital address, etc. did not score the candidates any mark.

Inappropriate responses: Some candidates provided the responses to the importance of entrepreneurs as answers to the question on importance of indigenous businesses to the Ghanaian economy.

(d) Expected Responses
(a) Basic Requirements
(i) Land/location
(ii) Capital
(iii)Business idea/plan
(iv)Capital
(v) Market
(vi)Source of raw material
(b) Contributions of indigenous enterprises to improving living standards
(i) Employment.
(ii) High productivity.
(iii)Human resource training.
(iv)Income for raw material producers.
(v) Contribution to infrastructure through corporate social responsibility.
(vi)Capital accumulation.
(vii) Potential for savings and investment.