•We’re prepared for CB-WASSCE, says WAEC

By Gabriel Dike 

The Minister for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has faulted those opposed to the full take-off of the computer-based examinations insisting that it introduction would help to eliminate exam malpractice, improve performance, make experts and schools invest in computers.   
Alausa disclosed that majority of Nigerians including the students are in support of the full introduction of the computer-based examinations nationwide.
The management of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) also stated that it is prepared to conduct CB-WASSCE and that machinery has been put in place to ensure smooth implementation of the Federal Government directive.
The education minister, who monitored the 2025 private candidates CB-WASSCE second series at WAEC Test and Training Center Ogba, commended the management of the council for the use of tablets by candidates to write the exam
He appealed to state governors and school owners to invest in computers/tablets because the CB examination has come to stay in the school system, noting that those opposed to it introduction are in the minority.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education will collaborate with the state governors, the National Assembly and proprietors of schools to ensure the computer-based examination is acceptable by stakeholders.
“Deploying computers/tablets for examination is not a big thing. We need to ensure our students perform well. Even students in rural areas will be taken care of. That is why I am calling on the governors to invest in computers. Each school requires about 100 pieces of computers per school. It is cheap,” he stated
Alausa said statistics from WAEC private candidates and NECO examinations has shown decline in examination malpractice with the introduction of computer-based by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Examination (JAMB), NECO and WAEC.
The minister, who interacted with the candidates, assured them that President Bola Tinubu would do everything to ensure our students are globally relevant and also competitive in the labour market.
He added: “With CB-WASSCE, exam malpractice will be eliminated. The era when students will go to a site to buy questions are gone with the introduction of the computer-based examination. The era of cheating is gone forever.
“I commend WAEC for investing in tablets to conduct the private candidates series examination. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our governors and schools owners to also invest in the tablet, which is affordable. With the introduction of CB examinations, we are preparing out students for the global labour market.
“For people that are trying to discredit CB examinations, the students have been taught how to use computers in schools. It is not new to them. The tablets do not need electricity, it uses solar. The tablets are cheaper, there are several firms assembling them in the country.
“The use of tablets for the CB examinations would make experts to invest in computers for schools examinations. AI has been included in the tablets to help exam makers understand what the students are saying. Our governors should ensure each school in their states has 100 tablets.
“It is not a big task asking governors to deploy 100 computers or tablets in each schools in their state. Just recently, I launched over 2,000 computers for CB exams in Borno State. The ministry is collaborating with the governors to ensure the deployment of computers/tablets in their schools for computer-based examinations.
“Every students in SS class should be able to write and use computer. If our students can’t write on computers, we are in trouble in this country. We need to tell our children that cheating in exam does not pay and that hard work pays. What we have witnessed in the last two decades is that students engage in cheating by buying questions. That ear is gone.”
Alausa said contrary to the insinuations, many students are happy about the adoption of computer-based examinations, noting that it is the small minority that are against the introduction of CB exam.
He disclosed that the ministry would collaborate with the Senate and House of Representatives to ensure success of the computer-based exam and that the president is interested in our youths acquiring technical skills.