The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has outlined key facilities schools must provide ahead of the full migration of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to computer-based testing by 2026.
Mr. Lucky Njoagwuani, Head of Examinations at WAEC, said this on Thursday during a sensitization event in Port Harcourt.
According to him, schools must have at least250 working laptops with 10% backups, a powerful computer server capable of running 250 systems at once, and a Local Area Network arrangement.
Other essential conditions include working air conditioners and lighting, a continuous energy supply, a backup generator with a capacity of at least 40 kVA, CCTV cameras, and a holding room or reception area for candidates.
Njoagwuani stated that the move to CBT would cut logistics costs, improve exam security, and widen 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,” he said.
Mr. Adeniran-Amusan Akim, WAEC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator, urged schools to begin updating their ICT centers to WAEC standards, emphasizing that the CBT system “is here to stay.”
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He further stated that schools unable to meet the requirements would be assigned to designated centers.
“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 stated.
Mr. Sunday Jaja, the Rivers State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, also spoke, encouraging school owners to make use of financial options from the Bank of Industry and the Federal Government’s MSME intervention fund to finance the shift.
“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 said.
Teadro Systems Ltd., NAPPS, and partners such as the Bank of Industry, HP, Lenovo, and Canon collaborated to organize the sensitization event.
The highlight was a raffle draw to donate ICT gear to schools, such as laptops, printers, and tablets.
