…..As It Introduces Maiden Computer-based WASSCE For School Candidates
Head of Nigeria National Office (HNO), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Amos Dangut has reiterated the Council’s Commitment to curb examination malpractice during its conduct of its examination across Nigeria.
He stated this during a press briefing on the preparedness and readiness for the conduct of the WASSCE for School candidates 2025 held on Thursday at the WAEC National Office in Lagos.
According to him, the Council decisively deals with examination malpractice of any kind. “The penalties for involvement in examination malpractice will always, without compromise, be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors, schools, as would be approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ of the Council that sits on examination matters in Nigeria.
- Advertisement -
He added that the Council, on its part, has rolled out several awareness campaigns and organized seminars for school proprietors, principals, students and other key stakeholders through its Branch and Zonal offices nationwide to sensitize them on the effects of this evil.
“Similarly, the Council produced sensitization materials such as flyers, banners, posters and other forms of reminders to further keep the message afresh in the minds of all stakeholders, especially candidates sitting the examination.
“Furthermore, the introduction of variations of papers, is an effort geared towards combating the menace of examination malpractice.
“Thus, candidates’ paper variations for the papers to be deployed for CB-WASSCE 2025, have been preprinted according to their registration details. Any candidate who chooses to write a paper other than the one assigned to him or her, will be doing a disservice to himself or herself and will bear the attendant consequences.
“A word is enough for the wise. “It is therefore, on this note that I call on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to study diligently and desist from engaging in any form of examination malpractice. The mass media is hereby invited to continue to partner with the Council in its efforts against examination malpractice, as it is our collective responsibility.”
He also urged various State Ministries of Education to call upon their principals, teachers and other officials serving as inspectors and supervisors to order. School principals and teachers should sensitize their students to the dangers of this terrible crime against humanity.
He called on every candidate and examination functionary to familiarize themselves with the rules guiding the conduct of the examination as stipulated in the WAEC Syllabus and Guidelines for the conduct of examinations, issued to schools.
He added that erring schools whose candidates engaged in mass cheating will be derecognized; erring officials will be adequately punished, while erring candidates will be sanctioned if found culpable.
“I would also like to state here that centres that have been derecognized by our sister organisations, that is, other examining bodies, remain derecognized for us too.
“This is no longer the time when a derecognized centre will run to another examining body for undue recognition. We also want to sound a note of warning to all operators of rogue websites that WAEC will not condone their heinous acts during the conduct of this examination.
“Parents are hereby cautioned to desist from patronizing these evildoers who are hell-bent on frustrating the efforts of WAEC. They should have nothing to do with them, as that would only lead to the destruction of their children’s destiny.
Dr. Dangut stated further that the Council as usual, work hand-in-hand with the Nigerian Police Force to bring perpetrators to book. There will be no hiding place for them. “I am certain that those who were tracked down and brought to book last year would have chosen to stay out of trouble if they had known how prepared we are for them.
“Please, do not fall victim because you may not be able to tell the story. The Council does not only conduct exam, but it’s also interested in the good performance of the candidates,” he stated.
On the introduction of Computer Based WASSCE for school examination, the HNO said as an organisation that believes in the use of modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to solve myriads of problems as well as improve service delivery to the Nigerian child, the Council has introduced its maiden Computer-based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2025.
“It will interest you to know that from this year, two candidates will not have same questions on each number. We have adopted this innovation for some of the WASSCE codes.
“This initiative according to him is part of the paradigm shift in the education sector, particularly, the adoption of current test administration techniques geared towards upholding the academic and moral integrity of the National Policy on Education and in line with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Education.”
He however said as a way of assisting candidates prepare for the examination, the Council has recently added resources to be adopted by schools and individual students which includes, Past Question Paper and Answer with Chief Examiners ‘Report Booklets.
“These resources are available in the WASSCE Core Subjects, Arts Subjects, Science Subjects and Commercial Subjects as classified. The Chief Examiners’ Reports provided an overview of how candidates performed in examinations, while suggesting ways to improve performance.
Disclosing that the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2025 will take place between Thursday, April 24 and Friday, June 20, 2025, in Nigeria, spanning eight (08) weeks and one (01) day, he said a total of 1,973,253) candidates from 23,554 schools presented candidates for the examination.
Of this number, he said 979,228 candidates are males, amounting to 49.63%, while 994,025 candidates are females, which is 50.37% of the total candidature.
“The statistics show a further increase in the number of females and males, respectively, compared to last year. However, on the roll, the candidacy for this year increased by 158,627) Candidates, they would be examined in 74 subjects, made up of 196 papers.
“Also about 26,000 practicing senior secondary school teachers, nominated by various Ministries of Education, would be participating in the examination as supervisors,” he explained.
Speaking on insecurity, the HNO said the Council cannot feign ignorance of the level of insecurity in the Country as several incidents have been recorded across the Country during the conduct of WASSCE over the years.
For instance, in a particular geopolitical zone, last year, during the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2024, there was a threat to a particular subject, but everything was later brought under control.
“Conducting examinations in such situations have been challenging though surmounted. The Council has continued to partner with the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector General of Police and the various State governments to provide adequate security to ensure the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the examination.
“In this regard, the Council remains grateful to State Governments for their partnership and collaborative efforts throughout the conduct of WASSCE and in the Council’s ongoing war against the menace of Examination,” he said.
Assuring stakeholders of a smooth conduct of the examination, he said the Council is set for the conduct of the WASSCE for School Candidates in 2025, in Nigeria.
“The Council is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, the various State Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and stakeholders, to deliver, a credible examination to the Nigerian Child and the general public.
“The Final International Timetable for the conduct of the examination has been sent to all schools for their necessary guidance. We remain ever grateful to the Honourable Minister of Education, the Honourable Minister of State, Education, all the State Ministries of Education, the Inspector-General of Police, and indeed, all stakeholders, for their usual support and cooperation, even as we count on them once again.”
BV.
