WAEC Urges CBT to Curb ‘Miracle Centres’, Examination Malpractice in Benue

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has called for stricter adoption of computer-based testing (CBT) to curb examination malpractice and strengthen the credibility of public examinations in Nigeria.

An official of the WAEC office in Makurdi, Mr Timothy Manga, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), against the backdrop of concerns over alleged examination malpractice and the reported existence of so-called “miracle centres” in Benue State.

Manga said allegations about the operation of “miracle centres” in the state were worrisome, although WAEC had not officially confirmed the existence of any such centre in Benue.

He described examination malpractice as a threat to the education system, stressing that schools should be recognised for quality teaching and learning rather than for facilitating cheating.

“Any system that rewards students for cheating undermines those who have worked hard to prepare for examinations.

“We need an examination system where success is determined by knowledge, preparation and competence, not by the ability to access assistance during examinations,” he said.

Manga added that WAEC would continue to monitor examination centres and investigate credible reports of malpractice.

“Though WAEC has not gotten any information on any school being a ‘miracle centre’, we would continue to put our ears to the ground in case we hear of any that we can set an example with,” he said.

Teacher Backs Independent Examination Centres

Mrs Rebecca Ezekiel, a teacher at NKST Secondary School, Makurdi, supported the establishment of independent examination centres, saying the move could reduce the influence of schools and teachers over external examinations conducted by WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

According to her, CBT could give examination bodies greater control over examination venues, personnel and security arrangements.

“Candidates should be examined under conditions that are independent of the schools where they receive instructions,” Ezekiel said.

She also recommended the use of biometric verification, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and other technologies to strengthen examination monitoring and prevent malpractice.

School Proprietor Cautions Against Labelling Schools

However, Mr Jude Odeh, a school proprietor in Otukpo Local Government Area, cautioned against labelling schools as “miracle centres” merely because they admit students in their final year of secondary education.

Odeh said he had heard allegations about the existence of such centres in Benue but had yet to identify any specific school operating as a “miracle centre”.

He explained that some parents transfer their children to other schools for various reasons, including the cost of examination registration and school fees.

According to him, some schools charge high examination-related fees, which, when combined with tuition and other charges, may become unaffordable for some parents.

Odeh, however, said some schools in Benue do not admit new students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3), insisting that only students promoted from SS2 are registered for external examinations.