Adoption of CBT is the Best Way to Curb Examination Malpractice, and Miracle Centres — WAEC Official

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has called for stricter adoption of computer-based testing (CBT) and enhanced monitoring of examination centres to tackle examination malpractice and the alleged activities of “miracle centres”

Mr Timothy Manga, an official of the WAEC office in Makurdi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while speaking on concerns surrounding examination malpractice and its implications for the credibility of public examinations and academic certificates.

Manga described reports about the existence of “miracle centres” in Benue as worrisome, although he noted that WAEC had not officially confirmed any school in the state as operating such a centre.

He stressed that the emergence of examination centres associated with malpractice could undermine the education system by shifting attention from academic preparation and quality teaching to the facilitation of cheating during examinations.

Students preparing for WAEC WASSCE examinations can strengthen their preparation through structured practice here → Download ExamGuide 

According to him, an effective examination system should reward candidates based on their knowledge, preparation and competence rather than their ability to obtain unauthorised assistance.

Manga said WAEC would continue to monitor developments and investigate credible information concerning schools allegedly involved in examination malpractice.

Meanwhile, Mrs Rebecca Ezekiel, a teacher at NKST Secondary School, Makurdi, advocated for independent examination centres to reduce the influence of schools and teachers over external examinations conducted by WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Are you preparing to sit for WASSCE? Download and study with the ExamGuide SSCE Practice App to pass the exam in one sitting. Download from www.examguide.com/offline/products/ssce 

She said the adoption of CBT could give examination bodies greater control over examination venues, personnel and security arrangements, thereby strengthening the integrity of the examination process.

Ezekiel also recommended the use of biometric verification, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and other monitoring technologies to improve surveillance and prevent malpractice.

“Candidates should be examined under conditions that are independent of the schools where they receive instructions,” she said.

However, Mr Jude Odeh, a school proprietor in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, cautioned against automatically labelling schools that admit students into their final year as “miracle centres.”

If you want to pass the 2027 WASSCE exam with flying colors, practice with ExamGuide UTME Learning App. Download the app from www.examguide.com/offline/products/ssce 

Odeh said he had heard allegations about the existence of such centres in the state but was yet to identify any specific school operating as one.

He explained that parents sometimes transfer their children to other schools in their final year for several reasons, including the cost of examination registration and school fees.

According to him, some schools impose examination-related charges that, when added to school fees, can become financially burdensome for parents.

Odeh, however, noted that some schools in Benue do not admit new students into Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3), with only students promoted from SS2 being registered for external examinations.

The concerns come amid continued efforts by examination bodies to strengthen the credibility of public examinations and curb practices capable of compromising the integrity of academic qualifications.