FG Initiates Measures to Curb Examination Malpractices
In a bold step to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s examination system, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has convened a high-level meeting with the Registrars of JAMB, NECO, and the Head of the National Office for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and the Director of Senior Secondary Education.
The meeting focused on devising strategies to improve the quality of examinations across the Country, during which the Minister, emphasized the government's unwavering stance on zero tolerance for examination malpractice, asserting the need to protect the sanctity of all examinations. He reiterated the government's commitment to upholding the integrity of high-stakes and achievement exams conducted by NECO and WAEC, as well as placement exams administered by JAMB.
During the meeting, it was announced that a committee had been established to address key issues, including exam leakages, identity theft, fraud, and improving supervision, while the committee will be formally inaugurated in January 2025. One of the key decisions was the transition of all examinations into a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) platform within the next three years, ensuring a more secure and efficient examination process.
Speaking on the issue of examination malpractice, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, expressed deep concern over the prevalence of such unethical practices in Nigeria's educational system. She highlighted alarming practices such as students pooling funds to access leaked answers via WhatsApp and schools bribing officials to enable cheating.
Dr. Ahmad emphasized that these acts undermine the credibility of assessments and compromise the moral and academic development of students. She reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to enforcing strict measures to combat malpractice, ensure accountability, and uphold the integrity of the nation's examination system. She called on all stakeholders to work together in restoring fairness and transparency.