The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, says the introduction of the Computer Based Test, CBT, in the conduct of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination will be a pilot project.
This is to address the fears raised by some education stakeholders on full migration to Computer Based Test in the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination next year.
The Chairman, Nigeria National Committee, WAEC, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir made this known at the opening of the Sixty-third Annual Meeting of the Nigeria National Committee of WAEC, held at Umuahia, Abia State.
She said that WAEC was aware that the directives from the Federal Ministry of Education to migrate fully to the use of Computer Based Test in the conduct of the WASSCE from next year had raised concerns among stakeholders.
While she gave the assurance that no candidate sitting this examination would be disenfranchised, she announced that WAEC is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to explore options that will ensure the smooth transition to the Computer Based Test in the conduct of WASSCE.
Hajiya Abdulkadir said that already, WAEC had trained students in senior secondary school on the pilot test of the use of tablet and digital style in responding Essay Questions to allow for the smooth take off the CBT system.
Addressing the issues surrounding the recent review of the Basis Secondary School Curricula, Hajiya Abdulkadir said that the initiative was a directive from the Federal Government and as such WAEC was expected to adhere to strictly the legal framework of its host country, and see to timely implementation of the policy.
She however, gave the assurance that no candidate will be restricted from registering subjects from other subject groups or distinct elective fields.
She stressed that Science students in particular, are not barred from taking Economics as an elective to complete their subject selection.
In the same vein, WAEC is extending the period for the upload of Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) to enable the accurate capturing of CASS for candidates that must take new subjects in line with the Federal Government’s approved list for the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026.
In a message to the event, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti appreciates WAEC for coming up with various policies to curb Examination malpractices and protect the integrity of assessment processes across the country.
Represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Good luck Ubochi, Governor Otti assured WAEC that Abia State would continue to align with WAEC vision in addressing Examination malpractices and would continue to support every initiative aimed at promoting honesty, discipline and fairness in schools.
In an address, the Head National office of WAEC in Nigeria, Dr. Josiah Dangut reassured education stakeholders that WAEC, which had grown in leaps and bounds in the last seventy-three years of existence, would continue to deliver on its mandate as the “Africa’s Foremost Examining Body.
The award for the overall best candidate in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates, went to Ajisafe Olamilekan who obtained “A 1” in eight subjects with total score of Five Hundred and eighty point eight five three five.
Ajisafe Olalekan adduced his excellent performance to hard work, determination and mercy of God.
A student cultural troupe later added colour to the event.
Reporting by Kikelomo Ifekoya