Education
WASSCE: 8,350 private Candidates sit for WAEC’s Maiden CBT Nationwide
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC said on Saturday that its maiden Computer Based Test (CBT) for WASSCE first series, for private candidates, would eliminate the major source of examination malpractice.
The council’s Head of National Office (HNO) Dr Amos Josiah Dangut stated this while monitoring the examination in some centres in Lagos.
Recall that council had stated its readiness to conduct the maiden edition of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE ) first series for private candidates, using the CBT platform.
The examination commenced on Jan. 31 and would be concluded on Feb. 17.
Dangut said that prior to the introduction of the CBT, the contents of the examination were usually let out before the test through some mischief makers who might have a role to play during the examination.
“So, I think with the introduction of this CBT, the issue of candidates having fore knowledge before the commencement of the examination will largely have been eliminated. It can no longer be business as usual.
“The major avenue, source of leakage, where we used to have supervisors carry these question papers from one point to the other will no longer obtain.
“When I say leakage, I mean the tearing of the bag containing the examination questions and sneaking out one. So, with this new concept, this will never happen.
“Again, you can see with the sitting arrangements that the candidates are also separated with cubicles that will not enable them to engage in any form of examination malpractice, coupled with the fact that they have to be dealing with different subjects at the point in time,” he said.
The council boss explained that given the CBT mode of examination, one does not need a special software to check examination malpractice, because the questions vary from one candidate to the other.
Dangut said that so far, the process had been encouraging, as there had not been any reported case of infraction or technical hitch recorded across the designated centres for the examination nationwide.
According to him, the council prepared well, did a lot of sensitisation, and gave the candidates the opportunity to try hands-on before the commencement of the examination.
He said that power supply would not affect the examination as the council had made two alternative arrangements outside public supply.
The HNO said that power was critical in choosing all the centres engaged to conduct the test.
He said that the council was not on the general internet and was using the intranet for the conduct of the examination.
“Today, the general Mathematics is taking place and as you can see, everything is moving on smoothly.
“The systems are top notch, with zero hitches recorded since the commencement of the examination on Jan. 31.
“This examination is being conducted simultaneously across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“We have about 8,350 candidates sitting for this examination as of today, because we have opportunity for people who want to register and start their own examination the next day.
“We call such candidates ‘walk in candidates’ and because of that too, the entry keeps going up everyday.
“For example, last week, when we were having the briefing exercise, we had about 8,230 candidates, but like I said before, as we speak, we have over 8,350 in all, because of the ‘walk in’ candidates.
“Candidates who would want to sit for a paper on Monday are doing their registration today. They will have to register at least 24 hours before the commencement of the paper they intend to be examined on,” he said.
The HNO added that the WAEC Test and Training Centre (WTTC) at Ogba was one of the 10 centres being used for the examination in Lagos.
According to him, the council is optimistic that it will have a successful outing of the maiden edition of the WASSCE CBT for private candidates, given the state of its readiness.
He said that the council had interacted with the stakeholders and they had all expressed delight at the development.
“You know, perception has a lot to do with performance. The stakeholders had anticipated very well and the result is what we are getting so far.
“We have said right from onset that this is a hybrid examination. The objective questions are beamed on the screen and are answered on the screen.
“But for essay, just like this general Mathematics paper 2, you will find out that have answer booklet provided for them where they are expected to do their calculations but the questions too are beamed on the screen. That is what makes it hybrid mode,” he stated.
Dr Dangut said that results of the examination were expected to be out 45 days after the last paper.
He expressed optimism that the second series of the WASSCE for private candidates that would begin in November would also be taken through the CBT mode.
“We are encouraged with what we have now for this maiden edition.
“We sat on the drawing board, got our act right and that is why we are able to deploy the computer mode for this examination.
“So, after this one, we will also go back to the drawing board and together strategise for the second series.
Some of the candidates who participated in the examination said it gave them the opportunity to have a feel of what obtains with other computer based tests in the age of technology. (NAN)
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
President of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, on Tuesday, called on state governors to prioritise the welfare of teachers to enhance quality education at the grassroots.Amba made the call at the Adamawa NUT Delegates’ Conference, with the theme: “Education Challenge in an Economy of Uncertainty: Effect of Teachers,” in Yola.
While appreciating Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for the immediate implementation of N70,000 minimum wage, he called on other governor, who had yet to implement it in their states to do so. The NUT president advised members to be productive and strive to undergo training and retraining to further enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.He called on delegates to elect leaders who would lead well and be bold enough to protect the interests of teachers.Amba also appealed to the governor to implement the minimum wage for primary school teachers and local government workers.In his address, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adamawa chapter, Emmanuel Fashe, decried what he called over-taxation of the civil servants in the state, following the implementation of the new minimum wage.Fashe commended the state government for the recent employment of qualified teachers, calling for employment of more, especially primary school teachers.He urged the delegates to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and vote wisely.The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Education Reform, Prof. Sofema Geoffrey, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of education in the state.According to him, NUT has a lot to showcase in term of support to government to ensuring quality education in the state.Fintri urged the delegates to conduct a peaceful conference.He assured that other issues at the forum, especially the ones on over-taxation, would be put into consideration. (NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
No fewer than 41 Students out of the total number of 1,863 bagged first class degree at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Lokoja
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed this in his speech at the 8th convocation ceremony held at the Felele main Campus of the institution in Lokoja at the weekend.
He said that 461 students were conferred with Second Class Upper and 974 got Second Class Lower while 384 students bagged Third Class and 3 students were awarded Pass Degree.
Professor Olayemi Akinwumi also announced that a total of 117 students were awarded Diploma and 216 with postgraduate degrees: Ph.
D, Master’s and PGD.He said that within his short period in office, the university had embarked on a landmark Collaboration with Rural Electrification Agency to provide reliable power generation via renewal energy solutions such as installation of campus-wide street lighting and establishment of renewable energy training centres.
The Vice Chancellor also announced that Federal University, Lokoja under his administration established the first-ever Zoo and Conservatory in Kogi state to serve not only as a significant hub for research and education but also provide a unique platform for community engagement and environmental conservation.
“It is worth noting that prior to my assumption of office in 2021, only two inaugural lectures were held at our university but now I am proud to share that we have successfully conducted a total of twenty-two inaugural lectures since then.
“In our commitment to fostering engagement with critical societal issues, we have prioritised public lectures as the cornerstone of our mission at FUL. Since our last convocation, we have successfully organized six impactful public lectures that have addressed a variety of important topics” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi further disclosed.
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