The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has banned 13 schools in Kogi State from the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The schools were banned following their engagement in malpractices during the 2023/2024 WASSCE.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, made the disclosure during a meeting with some principals and supervisors who were indicted by WAEC for examination malpractices.
The commissioner also disclosed that the council had blacklisted 14 supervisors for exam malpractices in the 2023/2024 WASSCE.
According to him, the government has vowed to sanction school principals, teachers and supervisors who engaged or aided examination malpractices in the state.
Jones emphasised that examination malpractices remained a criminal offence and would be treated in accordance with the law.
He said henceforth exam malpractice offenders would be prosecuted in accordance with the Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.
He stated that a committee would be set up to be headed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to investigate personalities indicted by WAEC.
“Kogi State has invested so much in education and will no longer tolerate the attitude of the ‘bad eggs’ drawing back the gains already made in the education sector,” Jones said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Seidu Jibrin, admonished principals and supervisors to desist from examination malpractices.
“I urge you to have a sober reflection on your actions as posterity will judge everyone according to his/her deeds.
“While some teachers are being called out for awards, it will be wrong for you to be called out for condemnations.
“It is unfortunate that this is happening when Kogi State is investing so much in education, whosoever is found culpable will be severely sanctioned,” Jibrin said.
