By Njoku Chijioke
The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, has assured that no Nigerian student will be excluded as the country transitions to computer-based testing (CBT), for national examinations.
She gave the assurance during a monitoring visit to selected schools in Abuja where the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), was ongoing.
“The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind,” the minister stated. “CBT will not be rolled out in a way that disadvantages any student, regardless of location or infrastructure. Nigerians should bear with us as we work to address every concern.”
Ms Ahmad outlined the benefits of CBT, citing increased efficiency, reduced malpractices, and improved examination experiences.
She added that CBT eliminates delays often caused by weather conditions, transport challenges, and administrative lapses, while ensuring students receive their full exam time.
Acknowledging the infrastructural gaps in rural areas, particularly in power supply and internet access, the minister noted that WAEC and NECO are working closely with JAMB and other stakeholders to bridge those gaps before full implementation.
She reported that students showed a preference for CBT over paper-based formats, highlighting more orderliness and timeliness in CBT centres compared to traditional exam venues, where delays and administrative lapses were common.
The minister emphasized that CBT significantly curbs examination malpractice by limiting impersonation, question leakage, and answer sharing. With personalized sets of questions for each candidate, the system is harder to manipulate.
Ms Ahmad reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to implement CBT nationwide in a fair, inclusive, and phased manner.
“The transition may come with challenges, but the long-term benefits far outweigh them. We are working with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful process,” she added.
