WAEC official blames school administrators for exam malpractice

Lagos – Mrs Comfort Agwu, the Deputy Registrar, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has blamed school administrators for examination malpractice.

Agwu said that examination malpractice would not succeed in schools without their knowledge.

She said that the council would not hesitate to clamp down on schools that were involved in examination malpractice.

“We shall close down any school involved in malpractice in any form henceforth.

“That is why we are sparing time to educate school principals and proprietors on the evil effects of the malpractice,’’ she said.

Agwu stressed the need for administrators to educate their students and staff on the ills of malpractice ahead of 2013 May/June SSCE.

The official also urged principals to desist from registering fake candidates or external candidates for WAEC examinations.

She added that some principals register candidates with defaced photographs with the intent of replacing the photographs after the examinations.

File Photo: Students

“This has caused delay in the issuance of certificates and the council will not tolerate this any longer,’’ she said.

Agwu also urged administrators to stop advertising their schools with the promise of assisting students to get distinctions in WAEC examinations.

“Great men of today did not make distinctions or credits in all the subjects at one sitting; our individual performance should have at least the normal curve.

“Some teachers go as far as writing the answers on the board for candidates in the examination hall while some photocopy answers for them.

“We have our spies in all the zones and there will be no escape route this time around for exam cheats,” the WAEC official said.

Agwu advised school administrators to report any inspector or supervisor who tried to intimidate or demand bribe from them to the council.

A school proprietor, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the high cut-off marks by higher institutions was responsible for the malpractice.

“The demand for credits in one sitting in SSCE by higher institutions from students seeking admissions has contributed to examination malpractice
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“If they allow two or more sittings, the desperation will not be there to get the credits or distinctions in one attempt,’’ he said. (NAN)