Deborah Akinyosoye
The West African Examinations Council has outlined key facilities schools must provide ahead of the full migration of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination to computer-based testing by 2026.
Head of Examinations, WAEC, Mr Lucky Njoagwuani, disclosed this on Thursday during a sensitisation programme in Port Harcourt.
According to him, schools must put in place a minimum of 250 functional laptops with 10 per cent backups, a robust computer server capable of supporting 250 systems simultaneously, and a Local Area Network setup.
Other mandatory requirements include functional air conditioners and lighting, uninterrupted electricity supply, a backup generator with at least 40kVA capacity, CCTV cameras, and a holding room or reception facility for candidates.
Njoagwuani noted that the move to CBT would cut logistics costs, improve exam security, and widen accessibility.
“We started with the fourth series of our private candidate exam about two years ago, and it was successful. This year’s private candidate exam, second series, is fully computer-based with no option for pen and paper. Invariably, next year’s school candidate exam will be fully computer-based as well,” he said.
The Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator of WAEC, Mr Adeniran-Amusan Akim, urged schools to begin upgrading their ICT centres in line with WAEC standards, stressing that the CBT system “is here to stay.”
He added that schools unable to meet the requirements would be assigned to designated centres.
“WAEC will not lower the standards. Any school that wants to host the exams within its premises must provide the required equipment and infrastructure,” Akim stated.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr Sunday Jaja, encouraged school owners to leverage funding opportunities from the Bank of Industry and the Federal Government’s MSME intervention fund to finance the transition.
“Technology is playing a vital role in modern education. This initiative will enable schools to stay abreast of current trends and prepare students for the digital age,” Jaja said.
The sensitisation event was jointly organised by Teadro Systems Ltd, NAPPS, and partners, including the Bank of Industry, HP, Lenovo, and Canon.
The highlight was the donation of ICT gadgets, including computers, printers, and tablets, to schools through a raffle draw.