WAEC: Computer-Based Test Will Led To Mass Failure In Northern Nigeria – Forum
Computer Test Scandal: How WAEC’s New Format Will Doom Northern Students
A youth group has slammed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for introducing a computer-based test (CBT) format in the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), saying it will cause mass failure for students in Northern Nigeria.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has called for the cancellation of the CBT format, which it says is unfair and discriminatory to students in rural areas who lack access to computers and internet.
The group’s National President, Yerima Shettima, said in a statement on Friday that the CBT format should have been optional, and that students should have been given the choice to use the traditional pen-and-paper method.
He said that the CBT format would disadvantage students who are not familiar with computers and online platforms, and that it would affect their performance and confidence.
Shettima cited a research conducted by the group in six northern states, which showed that the CBT format had led to high failure rates among public school students in previous exams.
He also said that the CBT format used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had caused problems for many students who failed the exams last year due to technical glitches, network failures, and inadequate facilities.
He blamed the CBT centers for using old and faulty computers that were not properly maintained, and for not providing enough training and support for the students.
He warned that the CBT format would worsen the educational gap between the north and the south, and that it would deprive many students of their right to quality education.
He urged WAEC to reconsider its decision and to ensure a level playing field for all students in the region.
