The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has introduced strict ICT requirements for schools as part of its plan to fully migrate the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to computer-based testing (CBT) by 2026. The announcement was made by WAEC’s Head of Examinations, Mr. Lucky Njoagwuani, during a sensitisation programme in Port Harcourt.
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According to Njoagwuani, schools wishing to participate in WAEC’s CBT system must provide:
- At least 250 functional laptops with 10% backups.
- A robust computer server to support 250 systems simultaneously.
- A Local Area Network (LAN) setup for smooth connectivity.
- Functional air conditioning and lighting systems.
- Uninterrupted power supply with a backup generator of at least 40kVA.
- CCTV cameras for surveillance and security.
- A holding room or reception facility for candidates.
He stressed that this transition will reduce logistics costs, strengthen examination security, and enhance 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,” Njoagwuani said.
TJ News Nigeria reports that WAEC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Adeniran-Amusan Akim, advised schools to immediately upgrade their ICT centres to meet these standards, noting that schools that fail to comply will have to send their candidates 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 said.
Mr. Sunday Jaja, Rivers State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), encouraged schools to access financing options from the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Federal Government’s MSME intervention funds to meet these requirements.
“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 added.
The sensitisation programme, jointly organised by Teadro Systems Ltd, NAPPS, and technology partners including BoI, HP, Lenovo, and Canon, also featured the donation of ICT gadgets to schools through a raffle draw.
Key Takeaway
WAEC’s full adoption of CBT for the WASSCE by 2026 is set to revolutionise examination administration across West Africa. Schools must invest in ICT infrastructure, surveillance, and backup systems to qualify as approved centres, ensuring a secure and efficient examination process for students.
