The Federal Government of Nigeria has established a three-year timeframe for the transition of all O’Level exams administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to computer-based testing (CBT).
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, made this announcement during a meeting with the Director of Senior Secondary Education in Abuja, as well as representatives from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), NECO, and WAEC.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, explained this. To preserve the integrity of all exams, the minister reiterated the government’s uncompromising position that there is no room for exam malpractice.
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Committee to be set up in January 2025 to address key examination issues
A committee has been established to address critical issues, such as examination leaks, fraud, identity theft, and enhancing supervision, the announcement stated. The group will be formally established in January 2025.
He emphasised that the government is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the placement tests conducted by JAMB, as well as the high-stakes and accomplishment exams organised by NECO and WAEC.
“One of the key decisions at the meeting was the transition of all examinations (achievement and placement) into a CBT platform within the next three years, ensuring a more secure and efficient examination process,” the minister stated.
“This is a significant step towards building a robust and credible examination system for Nigeria. We are moving swiftly to protect the future of our education system and ensure that our students’ achievements are recognised fairly and accurately,” he stressed.
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Minister of State for Education laments high rate of examination malpractices
Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, voiced her concerns over the widespread use of unethical techniques in Nigeria’s educational system.
She detailed alarming behaviours like schools bribing officials to allow cheating and pupils contributing money to acquire leaked answers via WhatsApp.
Ahmad stressed that these behaviours harm students’ academic and moral growth and damage the validity of assessments.
She reiterated the Ministry’s resolve to implement stringent policies to prevent misconduct, guarantee responsibility, and preserve the integrity of the country’s testing system. To restore equity and openness, she urged all parties involved to cooperate.
“With these measures in place, Nigeria is poised to strengthen the credibility of its educational system and set a new standard for examination security,” the statement noted.