The West African Examination Council in Nigeria announced plans to gradually eliminate the use of paper in its exams.
The Head of the National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, disclosed this on Thursday after monitoring the ongoing West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in Abeokuta.
Dr. Dangut, accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Ogun Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mariam Oloko, explained that WAEC plans to use electronic devices in recognized examination centers across Nigeria for future WASSCE exams.
“The deployment of the devices will eliminate the current use of paper registration of candidates and detect all forms of malpractice in the centers,” Dr. Dangut said.
He added, “We are saying that in the future, we are going to give this provision where schools that have facilities to do computer-based testing will take the examination on the computer. Those that are not ready will do the pen and paper. We will work in consultation with the Ministry of Education to have a timeline for this. When the time comes, we shall roll it out.”
Dr. Dangut noted that the assessment of the ongoing exam was satisfactory, with schools and students well-prepared. However, he emphasized the need for schools to have larger laboratories with sufficient equipment for the students.
According to him, over 1.8 million candidates are taking the examinations across the country.
Mrs. Oloko highlighted that the administration led by Governor Dapo Abiodun had already started the process of online registration for students in both public and private schools in the state.
“The government is continuously upgrading Information Communication Technology and other facilities in public schools to prepare teachers and students,” she said.
The monitoring team visited several schools in Abeokuta, including Abeokuta Grammar School, Baptist Girls College, Sacred Heart College, and Charis College.
