By Jimmy Jackson
The Federal Government has announced plans to transition all national examinations to 100 percent computer-based by 2027.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the Committee on Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria in Abuja.
Alausa stated that the newly formed committee is tasked with addressing major challenges in the education sector, standardising examination practices, and ensuring fairness and quality across boards.
The minister, stressing government’s commitment to tackling widespread examination malpractices and enhancing the overall quality of the nation’s educational assessments.
According to him, tackling examination leakages requires a holistic approach, as students are not the only culprits in examination malpractices.
He added that parents also contributed to examination malpractices by encouraging their wards.
Alausa noted that parents, teachers, school principals, and exam supervisors also play a role in exacerbating the issue.
“We aim to ensure that by 2027, all examinations in Nigeria will be computer-based. We are committed to working diligently to make this a reality, leveraging technology to facilitate this transition,” he said.
According to the minister, the committee will also address the issue of local swapping of candidates during exams, which has been a significant concern.
“We recognize the multiple participants involved in examination malpractices, from students and parents to teachers, principals, and supervisors. During this transition, we anticipate challenges, but regulatory bodies will be in place to monitor and investigate these issues,” Alausa added.
