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• Parents panic as WAEC, NECO, others switch to CBT
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Lately, anxiety level among parents has grown significantly because of the recent decision of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) to migrate from hitherto Paper-Based Examination (PBE) system that had been practices for decades to Computer-Based Test (CBT) system for O’Level examinations.
At the hearing in Abuja over the conduct of English Language Paper 2 late and in some cases in darkness, Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies, Oboku Oforji, expressed concern about the migration from PBE to CBT. He told the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Head of National Office (HNO), Dr. Amos Dangut: “It is the duty of the council to advise the education minister about the true position on the proposed conduct of CBT examinations.”
With the November take-off date for the first phase, parents said CBT system, though efficient and perhaps, way to go, might result in disenfranchisement of many candidates or could even lead to mass failure not because of students incompetence but because of the candidates’ poor knowledge of computer and how they could manoeuvre their way during the examination.
Just like the case of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the ministry said it will procure easy to use keypads for the candidates. In spite of that, the parents doubted the readiness of the examination bodies, WAEC, NECO and NABTEB, considering the magnitude of digital infrastructure and trained manpower required to ensure successful execution of the task.
Mr. Kazeem Olaiya, a parent in Abuja, said: “CBT system is a good innovation, but requires adequate time for sensitisation and training for students and schools, as well as massive digital infrastructure. “JAMB didn’t transit to CBT immediately. Rather, it started the process gradually, perhaps, in phases before it fully migrated to CBT. This allowed them adequate time to test-run the machines and manpower.
“Several years after, we could still see that the system is not yet perfect even though progress is being made year after year. But much water-tight investment is required in the digital infrastructures across the country.
“JAMB is periodically contacted by government and private organisations to organise CBT promotion examination for their staff. We often witness poor performance of the workers despite being familiar with the computer system.”
Abdullahi Sambo, a secondary school teacher in Kaduna, said: “Full transition to the CBT system may be catastrophic to the O’ level examination systems because of what it will take to ensure fairness and efficiency.
“For us in Kaduna and environs, the computer literacy level is still very low when compared to other parts of the country. Even in the UTME being conducted annually by JAMB, our candidates face a lot of difficulties because of their poor knowledge of the computer system. Many of the students, aside from the photo, they have not seen nor touched a computer not to talk about operating it.
“In my suggestion, the Federal Government has to make adequate arrangements for the gradual take-off of this CBT system. In addition to that, some contingency plans should also be put in place in case of unexpected failures and malfunctions during the exercise.”
An educationist, Kendra Eke: “The concerns from the parents are expected and genuine. However, government should go ahead with the transition to CBT system, but with a provision of mock opportunities as being done by JAMB during UTME. So, students can get acquainted with the CBT system, conquer fear and anxiety and prepare better for the examination.”
Mrs. Catherine (surname withheld), member, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Nigeria (NAPPS), FCT chapter, said the transition to CBT might bring additional cost to the parents because the schools might introduce new way of charges to students: “The innovation is the way forward, considering how technology has continued to redefine life and living, making things better and more efficient. But the challenge is the teething phase of the transition.
“Many students might face some disadvantages because of their poor knowledge and exposure to computer. But in general, it’s a good move that should be supported by people who desire a credible examination system that’s capable of testing the knowledge and capacity of the students. As a matter of fact, some private schools in Abuja here started the CBT system of examination a few years ago, while some others, especially in public schools, have no idea what a computer looks like.”
How it started
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, a few months ago, announced that barring any sudden changes, this year might mark the end of pen and paper examination in Nigeria and that will pave the way for the introduction of the CBT system of examination. The announcement sparked outrage with parents, teachers and students voicing their opinions and registering their concerns on the matter.
At a recent stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, repeatedly announced that there’s no going back on the decision to migrate all the examination systems to CBT for enhanced credibility.
She asked all concerned examination bodies, teachers, and candidates to prepare for the coming innovation that, according to her, will bring sanity to the examination system.
Why CBT
Alausa said the decision followed widespread examination malpractices recorded annually during the O’Level examinations, describing it as a threat to the integrity and credibility of the examination systems: “It’s expected that the transition to CBT will greatly reduce the menace of impersonation and examination malpractices and eradicate miracle centres allegedly being championed by some private schools and tutorial centres, additionally, enhance the efficiency, security and reliability of the examination process.”
Officials of the ministry said the shift to CBT is expected to, aside reducing examination malpractices, increase the speed of result processing and provide a more accurate assessment of students’ knowledge, stressing that with technology increasingly playing a vital role in education, the move is seen as a step in the right direction.
The minister said the decision aligns with the goal of bringing Nigeria’s examination standards in line with international best practices, stressing that CBT has been widely embraced in various countries, and its introduction in Nigeria is anticipated to equip students with critical digital skills needed in today’s world.
WAEC and NECO have also been notified and tasked with developing the necessary infrastructure and capacity to support the transition to CBT. This includes staff training, upgrading facilities and ensuring that schools and examination centres are equipped with the necessary technology.
Introduction of CBT is also expected to have a significant impact on students, teachers and schools. Students will need to familiarise themselves with the CBT formats, while teachers will require training to effectively prepare students for this new mode of assessment.
Addressing the concerns
Alausa said he did not expect all the schools in Nigeria to have CBT centre for the take-off of the process due to the huge cost involved: “Well-equipped centres will be strategically sited at different locations across the country to enable candidates to seamlessly participate in the examination. Parents should not to worry or be unnecessarily anxious about the innovation. Adequate measures and investments are being made to ensure a smooth transition to the CBT system.
“There may be teething problems as always experienced in every new technological deployment, but adequate plans will be made to ensure it’s minimal and does not disrupt the exercise. While the move to CBT present opportunities for innovation and improvement, it also poses some challenges particularly in ensuring that all schools and examination centres have access to reliable internet connectivity and suitable computer facilities to ensure the success of the initiative.”
To address these challenges, Federal Government pledged to provide support and resources to WAEC and NECO. The government said it would also work with private sector partners to ensure that schools and examination centres were adequately equipped.
As preparations begin for the 2026 rollout, education stakeholders expressed mixed feelings, but stressing that with strategic planning and investment, the shift to CBT could redefine Nigeria’s examination landscape and empower students for success in a digital future.
Leveraging JAMB experience
In 2013, JAMB introduced CBT and in 2014, they migrated fully to CBT, heralding the complete transition from PBE to CBT. Annually, JAMB embarks on inspections and accreditation of hundreds of private CBT centres for use in the UTME. Hundreds of CBT centres were used in the past UTME and there’s a periodic review of their activities afterwards.
A few days ago, JAMB announced that 11 CBT centres were found to have been involved in irregularities during registration and conduct of the UTME examination. That could earn them sanctions, including delisting. The minister said WAEC and NECO might be forced to study and adopt the CBT system being used by JAMB in their UTME exercise, which had guaranteed efficiency and speed.
