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Tag: WAEC

  • Benue to pay WAEC fees for students in public schools

    Benue to pay WAEC fees for students in public schools

    The Benue State Government has unfolded plans to pay Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) registration fees for students in government-established schools.

    The Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, disclosed this during a meeting with Principals of Post-Primary Schools, Area Education Officers and other stakeholders in the education sector in Makurdi, the state capital.

    Rev. Ikyaan announced that Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia adminstration will pay the  registration fees for final year students of only Government Secondary Schools (GSS’s), in the state.

    He cautioned the principals against engaging in unethical practices such as illegal admission of students in the name taking undue advantage of the good gesture that the state Government is offering to her citizens.

    According to the governor’s Principal Print Media Assistant to the governor, Donald Kumun, the commissioner  instructed all the principals of post primary schools not to collect money from students for such registration, unless approvals that would come from the ministry.

    The Commissioner called on parents of benefited students to encourage their children to study hard to compliment the efforts of the state government, so as not to see it as a wasted opportunity.

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    The Director General, Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency (BEQA), Dr. Terna Francis, thanked the Commissioner for bringing innovations in the education sector that are already yielding positive results, saying that, the agency under him is aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning in the state, and warned against examination malpractice and other vices in the sector.

    The Executive Secretary, Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB), Mr. Tsea Ahule, also thanked  the commissioner for the meeting with heads of the institutions, as well as administrators in the education sector, and called on the  principals to always seek approvals from the board before taking any action in their respective schools.

  • Otu okays payment of WAEC fees for indigenes

    Otu okays payment of WAEC fees for indigenes

    Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has approved payment of WAEC fees for indigenes in public schools.

    He urged members of the State Executive Council (SEC) to brace up for optimal performance, to justify their appointments.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the first Executive Council meeting this year held at the Council of Chiefs Chamber, Calabar.

    Commissioner for Information Mr. Erasmus Ekpang led his Education counterpart, Sen. Steven Odey, to brief the media on the specific approval by the council for the payment by the state government, of N440million for WAEC fees of 16,301 indigenes in the state public schools.

    The commissioner explained that the figure of the prospective number of students was reached by his ministry after input from public schools on the number of indigenes that took the mock exams.

    He said the exam fee per a child is N27,000, adding that no additional and fresh entry would be captured from any school.

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    He said: “Ten sectoral clusters have been identified through which all MDAs shall be grouped, to collaborate in developing their action plans for speedy and impactful results.

    In the clusters, he said, “every MDA is expected to draw up a proper action plan indicating goals, activities and timelines through series of periodic meetings with its management. At cluster meetings, comprising MDAs, these will be strengthened through collaborative scrutiny until perfection is attained.

    “Thereafter, clusters will be meeting periodically as well, where every MDA will be expected to report on its achievements to the hearing of all. At the end of every quarter, performance evaluation will be carried out and a ranking order made public.”

    He said the system would keep the government machinery in full and guided activity as well as enable him wherever and whenever to have a full grasp of exco members and MDAs’ performance.

  • WASSCE: 8,350 private candidates sit for WAEC’s maiden CBT nationwide

    WASSCE: 8,350 private candidates sit for WAEC’s maiden CBT nationwide

    THE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) said yesterday that its maiden Computer Based Test (CBT) for WASSCE first series, for private candidates, would eliminate the major source of examination malpractice.

    The council’s Head of National Office (HNO) Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, stated this while monitoring the examination in some centres in Lagos.

    Recall that council had stated its readiness to conduct the maiden edition of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) first series for private candidates, using the CBT platform.

    The examination commenced on January 31 and would be concluded on February 17.

    Dangut said that prior to the introduction of the CBT, the contents of the examination were usually let out before the test through some mischief makers who might have a role to play during the examination.

    “So, I think with the introduction of this CBT, the issue of candidates having fore knowledge before the commencement of the examination will largely have been eliminated. It can no longer be business as usual.

    “The major avenue, source of leakage, where we used to have supervisors carry these question papers from one point to the other will no longer obtain.

    “When I say leakage, I mean the tearing of the bag containing the examination questions and sneaking out one. So, with this new concept, this will never happen.”

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    “Again, you can see with the sitting arrangements that the candidates are also separated with cubicles that will not enable them to engage in any form of examination malpractice, coupled with the fact that they have to be dealing with different subjects at the point in time,” he said.

    The council boss explained that given the CBT mode of examination, one does not need a special software to check examination malpractice, because the questions vary from one candidate to the other.

    Dangut said that so far, the process had been encouraging, as there had not been any reported case of infraction or technical hitch recorded across the designated centres for the examination nationwide.

    According to him, the council prepared well, did a lot of sensitisation, and gave the candidates the opportunity to try hands-on before the commencement of the examination.

    He said that power supply would not affect the examination as the council had made two alternative arrangements outside public supply.

    The HNO said that power was critical in choosing all the centres engaged to conduct the test.

    He said that the council was not on the general internet and was using the intranet for the conduct of the examination.

    “Today, the general Mathematics is taking place and as you can see, everything is moving on smoothly.

    “The systems are top notch, with zero hitches recorded since the commencement of the examination on Jan. 31.

    “This examination is being conducted simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “We have about 8,350 candidates sitting for this examination as of today, because we have opportunity for people who want to register and start their own examination the next day.

    “We call such candidates ‘walk in candidates’ and because of that too, the entry keeps going up every day.

    “For example, last week, when we were having the briefing exercise, we had about 8,230 candidates, but like I said before, as we speak, we have over 8,350 in all, because of the ‘walk in’ candidates.

    “Candidates who would want to sit for a paper on Monday are doing their registration today. They will have to register at least 24 hours before the commencement of the paper they intend to be examined on,” he said.

    The HNO added that the WAEC Test and Training Centre (WTTC) at Ogba was one of the 10 centres being used for the examination in Lagos.

    According to him, the council is optimistic that it will have a successful outing of the maiden edition of the WASSCE CBT for private candidates, given the state of its readiness.

    He said that the council had interacted with the stakeholders and they had all expressed delight at the development.

    “You know, perception has a lot to do with performance. The stakeholders had anticipated very well and the result is what we are getting so far.

    “We have said right from onset that this is a hybrid examination. The objective questions are beamed on the screen and are answered on the screen.

    “But for essay, just like this general Mathematics paper 2, you will find out that have answer booklet provided for them where they are expected to do their calculations but the questions too are beamed on the screen. That is what makes it hybrid mode,” he stated.

    Dr Dangut said that results of the examination were expected to be out 45 days after the last paper.

    He expressed optimism that the second series of the WASSCE for private candidates that would begin in November would also be taken through the CBT mode.

    “We are encouraged with what we have now for this maiden edition.

    “We sat on the drawing board, got our act right and that is why we are able to deploy the computer mode for this examination.

    “So, after this one, we will also go back to the drawing board and together strategise for the second series.

    Some of the candidates who participated in the examination said it gave them the opportunity to have a feel of what obtains with other computer based tests in the age of technology.

  • JUST IN: WAEC to conduct first CBT mock exam Tuesday

    JUST IN: WAEC to conduct first CBT mock exam Tuesday

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has declared the commencement of the first-ever free computer-based mock exam for private applicants participating in the 2024 first-series West African Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE).

    All prospective candidates are encouraged to participate in the mock test, slated for January 23–24, as announced in a statement issued by Moyosola Adesina, the Acting Head of Public Affairs at the WAEC national office in Lagos.

    The statement read: “WAEC has scheduled a free Mock Examination for all the prospective candidates for the first-ever Computer-Based WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2024- First Series which starts on Wednesday, 31st January 2024.

    “The mock examination will be held on the 23rd and 24th of January, 2024. Candidates are expected to log on to the mockcbt.waec.org.ng portal from their mobile phones or personal computers to take the examination. The mock examination portal will be accessible all day, for the two days. Candidates would be allowed to access the mock examination page a second time if the first attempt fails.

    Read Also: Wadada disburses WAEC registration fees to 744 less-privileged students in Nasarawa

    “Information containing login details of registered candidates will be sent to their respective email addresses and phone numbers as soon as registration closes.

    “Also, a link to the tutorial video on how to use the examination portal will be made available on all our social media platforms. WAEC wishes all candidates for the examination success and a wonderful experience.”

  • We didn’t announce adoption of CBT for WASSCE 2024, says WAEC

    We didn’t announce adoption of CBT for WASSCE 2024, says WAEC

    The Nigerian office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has denied a report that it had adopted the Computer Based Testing (CBT) model for the conduct of its West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for this year.

    The examination body described the report as false and misleading.

    In a statement, titled: Youth forum rejects planned WAEC CBT Exams, WAEC’s acting Head of  Public Affairs Moyosola Adesina said the examination body had stated last November it would conduct its first-ever examination using the CBT model in WASSCE for private candidates – first series in 2024.

    The council said the Head of National Office (HNO) in Nigeria, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, had confirmed that the CBT model would not be applied to the WASSCE for school candidates just yet.

    It stressed that there was still much to do to equip schools with the needed infrastructure and resources, as well as adequately train personnel to engage and cooperate with WAEC for the conduct of the examination.

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    WAEC said it had had, on several platforms, outlined the mode for taking the upcoming CB-WASSCE and put measures in place to ensure that candidates, the examination environment, and the general public were adequately sensitised on the requirements and outlay for the examination.

    The council said it was not unaware of possible challenges that may be encountered by candidates during the conduct of the examination, hence a trial test and a free mock examination had to be scheduled to be done on WAEC’s designated platforms for prospective candidates, whether secondary school students or out-of-school individuals, to familiarise themselves with the testing environment, prior to its commencement.

    “As an organisation that prioritises excellence, innovation and professionalism as its core values, the general public can be assured that WAEC would not compromise its standard on quality assessment and global best practices, to ensure the smooth conduct of the WASSCE for Private Candidates – First Series, 2024,” statement added.

  • WASSCE CBT centres top-notch — WAEC HNO

    WASSCE CBT centres top-notch — WAEC HNO

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says the centres accredited for its maiden Computer Based Test (CBT) 2024 first series WASSCE for private candidates are top notch, seamless and user friendly.

    The council’s Head, National Office (HNO), Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

    He noted that the examination would hold from Jan. 31 to Feb. 17.

    According to him, the process, which is specifically for private candidates at the moment, is unique, being the first time the council will be deploying the platform for the conduct of such examination.

    He explained that council had, however, been deploying the platform to conduct aptitude tests, as well as assess schools that intended to measure the proficiency of their students in one field or the other.

    “Right now, the focus is on private candidates first series only.

    “We are very prepared for the examination.We have already gotten state-of-the-art CBT accredited centres for this examination across the country.

    “The centres have very excellent facilities such as computers that will not be too slow, standby backups and power generating sets as well as personnel that will proctor the examination. They are all ready.

    “The proctors are very experienced as we have given them exceptional training, specifically for the purpose of this examination.

    “So, I want to assure all candidates participating in this examination, stakeholders and even the general public that there will be no failure of internet connectivity, because we have fully prepared for such in every given centre.

    “We will not rely on any external internet,” he said.

    The WAEC boss added that there would also be fixed power supply all though the examination, while the bandwidth for the computers was in top shape in carefully chosen centres.

    According to him, the specially trained proctors will be on hand to attend to the need of candidates, should there be any need for that.

    He addressed concerns raised by some sections of the public over the possibility of the process in some parts of the country where candidates might not have first hand knowledge on how to use the computer for the examination.

    Dangut assured that there was nothing to worry about.

    He noted that the process was easy and would by no means affect the performance of candidates.

    According to him, the council will begin sensitisation about the process this week, and in addition to this, there will also be a Mock CBT for the WASSCE.

    “There is going to be mock test and it is going to be free. The sensitisation for the mock and the examination proper will be widely publicised, using the print, electronic media, well as our social media platforms.

    “All of these will commence this week.

    “What we have done is to sample. We have done our experiment. We have done a trial test, we have carried the candidates along, that is, this group of candidates that are out of school, as the examination is specifically for them.

    “If you look at it critically, when you are out of school, you would have definitely acquired other skills, particularly the soft skills, and so, we have tried these our customers so to speak, the stakeholders, and those who want to write, cut across the strata.

    “Our trial tests have been focused and centred on people who want to sit for the examination and have come out with very clean result.

    “So we are going to embark on mass sensitisation to the general public, as well as open a window for those who register for the examination to log in and do the mock CBT WASSCE,” he stated.

    The HNO said that there would also be a video demonstration that would accompany the sensitisation jingles, noting that it would be all encompassing.

    He noted that such would afford the candidates the opportunity to practicalise, have a hands -on experience, and then, get into the examination space itself.

    Read Also: WAEC to conduct CBT exam for private candidates

    “Let me assure candidates that they will find the experience fascinating and thrilling.

    “The system in place for this maiden CBT First series WASSCE for private candidates is very user friendly.

    “This is in the sense that you can choose to use the mouse or choose to use the letters. For example, if you want to go to the next question, you just press ‘N’ and if you want to go to the previous question, you press letter ‘P’.

    “On the computer itself, it gives you very clear directions on what to do. It is very seamless, fascinating and so much fun to operate.

    “I am an education enthusiast; my advice to persons, whether students or those out of school, is that they must always strive to be at their best.

    “You can be at your best if you are properly groomed in academics, because that is the only thing that opens the way for every other sphere of life,” he stated.

    (NAN)

  • WAEC to conduct CBT exam for private candidates

    WAEC to conduct CBT exam for private candidates

    The Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has concluded plans to migrate its West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates from paper and pencil tests to the Computer-Based Examination (CBE).

    The examination body announced this in a statement yesterday by its Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina.

    It said the computer-based test (CBT) examination will start next year with the first series billed for February. 

    The examination body said the Objective Tests would be fully computer-based, while the Essay and Test of Practical papers would be hybrid, in which the examination questions would be delivered on screen and candidates required to write answers on the answer booklets given to them. 

    Read Also: BREAKING: WAEC unveils CBT for conduct of SSCE

    WAEC stressed that for candidates to familiarise with the new examination platform, arrangements had been concluded for a Mock Examination to be conducted in February before the examination begins. 

    The council urged prospective candidates to hone their computer skills and be fully prepared to embrace this innovation.

    “Furthermore, the examination will be conducted in urban centres/cities and candidates with special needs have been factored into the plan. Registration for the examination will commence on Monday, December 18, 2023.

    “As Africa’s foremost examining body, providing qualitative and reliable educational assessment, encouraging academic and moral excellence, it is the vision of the council that in the near future, all its examinations will be delivered via the computer,” it added.

  • BREAKING: WAEC unveils CBT for conduct of SSCE

    BREAKING: WAEC unveils CBT for conduct of SSCE

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the introduction of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for the conduct of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

    A statement signed by the acting head of the Public Affairs Unit of WAEC, Moyosola Adesina, noted that the new innovation would kick off with the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates in February 2024.

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    The statement read: “In line with global best practices, the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) wishes to inform the general public, and all its stakeholders, that it has concluded plans to migrate its WASSCE for Private Candidates Examination Diets from Paper and Pencil Test to Computer Based Examination (CBE).

    “The Innovation will commence with WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2024 – First Series, which is slated to hold in February 2024. While the Objective Tests will be fully Computer Based, the Essay and Test of Practical papers will be hybrid, in which the examination questions will be delivered on screen and candidates are required to write answers on the answer booklets given to them.

    “Furthermore, the examination will be conducted in urban centres/cities and candidates with special needs have been factored into the plan. Registration for the examination will commence on Monday, December 18, 2023.”

  • Niger clears N205m WAEC debt

    Niger clears N205m WAEC debt

    Niger state government has cleared the N205 million debt backlog owed to the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) to enable the candidates in the state to access their results.

    Candidates who wrote the 2023 internal West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have been able to access their results which were released by the various examination bodies.

    This is after seven years of continuous withholding of the results of the candidates in the state due to the debts owed by the state government.

    Briefing Journalists in Minna on Tuesday, October 17, the Special Adviser on Print Media to the Niger state governor, Ms Aisha Wakaso said that the state government had also given a directive for the payment of monthly N30 million to be paid to NECO to enable it clear the backlog of debts the state is owning.

    She further disclosed that the state government had taken delivery of samples of CNG buses which are meant to be used for free transportation and has given approval for the remaining buses to be brought for full utilization of the government’s free transportation project.

    It would be recalled that NECO released its 2023 internal SSCE results last week with the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi disclosed that the total indebtedness of States since 2012 is N5.5 billion.

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    Wushishi said that the Council was expecting some states to pay their debts after the release of the results.

    “The debts are money owed to us as registration fees as several states pay these fees for their students to take the burden off the parents. It is the money paid as registration fees that we use to run the council as we conduct examinations based on the IGR of the registration fees paid.

    He said: “We will not release the results of the states that are owning us as we are expecting the states to pay as we have released the results which is our agreement with them.”

  • WAEC denies ranking Abia best performing state

    WAEC denies ranking Abia best performing state

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has refuted claims that council asserted that Abia state was the best-performing state in the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). 

    A viral social media post had stated that WAEC announced Abia as the best-performing state in WASSCE.

    The Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosore Adesina, has declared the claim to be false, adding that it did not announce such information.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the West African Examinations Council has been drawn to a social media post stating that Abia State has been rated as the best-performing State in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023, in Nigeria.

    “This is far from the truth. The Council completely and totally disassociates itself from the publication.

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    “For the avoidance of doubt, The West African Examinations Council DOES NOT RANK the PERFORMANCE of STATES in its examination. This we have always stated.

    “Thus, any media circulating this wrong information should be disregarded. They are mischievous platforms that trend on controversies, and their intention is purely political. They are trying unsuccessfully to drag the Council into the political arena and bring its good name to disrepute to cause disharmony among the states competing for superiority!

    “Furthermore, the Council has not decided on the best candidate(s) for WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023. Any report to the contrary should be disregarded. The general public should please take note.”