The Nigerian Ministry of Education has announced plans to transition the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) system to a fully computer-based format by 2027. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise the nation’s examination processes and combat the growing menace of malpractice.
Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, made this known in Abuja on Thursday during the inauguration of a committee tasked with improving the quality of examinations in the country. Chaired by the registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede, the committee will oversee efforts to standardise practices, address examination fraud, and enhance the credibility of the assessment system.
Alausa highlighted that examination malpractice is a systemic problem involving multiple stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, school principals, and supervisors.
The minister stated that examination leakages and malpractices require a holistic approach.
He said, “So, we’re planning that by 2027, all our exams will be computer-based. We will work so hard to ensure that that happens. We have to use technology to help our endeavour.
“The committee will also be working with local swapping of candidates. There are multiple participants in exam practices. From the student to parents, teachers, principals, to even people regulating and supervising exam conduct.
“During this change, a lot of areas of compromises will happen. There will be people investigating and regulating the exams.”
Parents were specifically called out for encouraging malpractice, while teachers and administrators were identified as enablers. The minister stressed the need to introduce robust monitoring and regulation to address these issues.
The ministry is placing significant emphasis on technology to improve examination integrity. In 2023, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) introduced a hybrid system for SSCE, where objective tests were computer-based while essay and practical papers retained a traditional format.
The minister announced several reforms aimed at enhancing the examination process, including:
– Three Key Identifiers on Certificates: Examination certificates will feature candidates’ national identification numbers (NIN), photos, and birthdates to ensure authenticity and combat identity theft.
– Improved Examination Supervision: Efforts to eliminate leakages and local swapping of candidates during examinations will be strengthened.
– Increased Funding for Education: A focus on human capital development will underpin the reforms.
Alausa also mandated examination bodies such as WAEC, NECO, and NAPTEB to adopt these measures in their upcoming examinations scheduled for May, June, and July.
“I’ve mandated all the registrars of our examination bodies, such as WAEC, NECO, and NAPTEB that by their next examinations scheduled for May, June and July, there will be three identifiers on the certificates they issue,” Alausa said.
“These identifiers will be the national identification number of the candidates, the picture of the candidate on the certificates and their date of birth.
“By having these three identifiers, we will ensure almost 100 per cent certainty in identifying candidates.”
Describing malpractice as a threat to Nigeria’s education system, Alausa warned that allowing it to continue would undermine the efforts of hardworking students.
By transitioning to a fully computer-based system and implementing stricter measures, the ministry aims to uphold the credibility of Nigeria’s examination process and create a level playing field for all students.
Melissa Enoch
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