The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), stating that the exercise has been progressing smoothly, particularly in centres using the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.
Prof. Ahmad made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja after monitoring the examination in selected schools operating both CBT and paper-and-pencil modes.
The minister visited Government Secondary School, Garki, where candidates sat for the CBT examination, and Federal Government Boys’ College, Garki, where the traditional paper-and-pencil format was being used.
Speaking after the inspection, Ahmad commended the level of preparedness displayed by candidates and the orderly conduct of the examination at the centres visited.
“We have visited two schools, one using CBT and another using the paper-and-pencil format for the examination. I am pleased with what I have seen,” she said.
According to the minister, students at the CBT centre expressed satisfaction with the examination process and reported no difficulties in using the computer-based platform.
“I spoke with some of the candidates and they said they prepared adequately for the CBT examination and encountered no challenges navigating the system,” she added.
She also lauded the conducive examination environment at the paper-and-pencil centre, noting that candidates were properly seated and that there was no indication of examination malpractice.
Prof. Ahmad attributed the successful rollout of the CBT examination to extensive pilot testing conducted before its implementation, which helped ensure the reliability and efficiency of the software being used.
She disclosed that candidates had already completed seven papers through the CBT platform without any reported technical issues.
“Schools visited confirmed that they have not experienced software-related problems or difficulties accessing examination questions. So far, the exercise has been going smoothly, and we are encouraged by the feedback,” she said.
On concerns about electricity supply, the minister assured that adequate contingency measures had been put in place. She explained that participating schools were equipped with alternative power sources, including solar energy systems and generators.
“Most of the schools are already relying on alternative power sources rather than regular electricity supply, so power outages are not a major concern,” she stated.
Prof. Ahmad further explained that only schools with functional Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities and sufficient computer systems were selected as CBT centres.
She noted that some schools conducted the examinations in multiple batches to accommodate all candidates.
“The key requirement is the availability of functional ICT infrastructure and adequate computers. Schools without such facilities cannot participate in the CBT examination at this stage,” she said.
The minister recalled that the Federal Government had initially planned a full transition to CBT examinations by 2026 but opted for a gradual implementation due to inadequate infrastructure in some parts of the country.
She revealed that the government is working with state governments and strengthening facilities in federal unity colleges to expand CBT capacity nationwide.
According to her, a definite timeline for complete migration to CBT examinations cannot be set until the necessary infrastructure is available across the country.
“We want to ensure that the required facilities are in place before implementing full CBT examinations nationwide,” Ahmad said.
