The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has advocated strict adoption of computer-based testing (CBT) to curb examination malpractice in some centres popularly known as “miracle centres”.
Mr Timothy Manga, an official of the WAEC office in Makurdi, made the recommendation in an interview on concerns over examination malpractice and its impact on the credibility of public examinations and educational certificates.
Manga said allegations of the existence of “miracle” examination centres in Benue had become worrisome, although there was no official confirmation of any such centre in the state.
He described the alleged practice as a threat to the education system, stressing that schools should be recognised for quality teaching rather than facilitating examination malpractice.
“Any system that rewards students for cheating undermines those who have worked hard to prepare for examinations.
“We need an examination system where success is determined by knowledge, preparation and competence, not by the ability to access assistance during examinations.
“Though WAEC has not received any information on any school being a ‘miracle centre’, we will continue to monitor the situation and take action if any is identified,” he said.
Mrs Rebecca Ezekiel, a teacher at NKST Secondary School, Makurdi, said establishing independent examination centres could reduce the influence of schools and teachers over examinations conducted by WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Ezekiel said CBT would enable examination bodies to exercise greater control over examination venues, personnel and security arrangements.
“Candidates should be examined under conditions that are independent of the schools where they receive instruction,” she said.
She also recommended biometric verification, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and other technologies to strengthen examination monitoring.
However, Mr Jude Odeh, a school proprietor in Otukpo Local Government Area, said admitting students into final-year classes did not qualify a school to be labelled a “miracle” examination centre.
Odeh said he had heard allegations about the existence of such centres in the state but was yet to identify any specific school operating as one.
He explained that some parents changed their children’s schools for reasons including high examination registration fees and school fees.
According to him, some schools charge examination fees arbitrarily, making the combined cost of examination registration and school fees too high for some parents to afford.
Odeh, however, said some schools in Benue did not admit new students into SS3, insisting that only students promoted from SS2 were registered for external examinations.
