ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Education stakeholders in Jos have expressed optimism that the planned adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by examination bodies will curb examination malpractice and reduce activities of the so-called miracle centres.
The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Monday, said the success of the initiative would also depend on the effective supervision, integrity and strict enforcement of examination regulations.
NAN reports that examination malpractice remains a major concern in Nigeria’s education sector, with so-called miracle centres allegedly aiding candidates through organised cheating during public examinations.
The stakeholders believe the planned adoption of CBT by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO), would significantly reduce such practices by making examination processes more secure and difficult to manipulate.
Mr Ugochukwu Amadi, Head of Biology at Command Secondary School, Jos, attributed examination malpractice to laziness and desperation among some students.
“Students are unwilling to study when malpractice appears like a shortcut. They would rather cheat to obtain certificates than acquire knowledge,” he said.
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Amadi said CBT would make malpractice more difficult through biometric authentication, automated grading, question reshuffling, and the elimination of paper leakages.
He, however, maintained that technology alone could not eliminate malpractice, calling for better teachers’ welfare and supervisors with proven integrity and stiffer sanctions for offenders.
Also speaking, Mr Akande John, Head of Science at Learning Field International Academy, Jos, said fear of failure and the stigma associated with poor academic performance were among the factors driving examination malpractice.
John said; “Just like JAMB, questions should not be arranged in the same order, and the examination should be time-sensitive, making it difficult for candidates, especially strangers, to communicate.”
He said that beyond the CBT, candidates from the same school should be distributed across different examination centres, while surveillance cameras should be installed to strengthen invigilation.
The respondents, therefore, urged students to embrace hard work and advised parents, schools, and examination bodies to continue promoting integrity, fairness, and merit in Nigeria’s education system.
NAN