WAEC calls for strict CBT to curb ‘miracle centres’, examination malpractice

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has called for stricter adoption of computer-based testing to tackle examination malpractice and curb the activities of so-called “miracle centres”.

Timothy Manga, an official of the WAEC office in Makurdi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while speaking on concerns over examination malpractice and its implications for the credibility of public examinations and educational certificates.

Manga said allegations about the existence of “miracle” examination centres in Benue State were becoming worrisome, although WAEC had not officially confirmed any such centre in the state.

He described examination malpractice as a threat to the education system, stressing that schools should be recognised for quality teaching rather than their ability to facilitate cheating during external examinations.

“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,” he said.

Manga added that WAEC would continue to monitor developments and investigate credible information about schools allegedly operating as “miracle centres”.

“Though WAEC has not gotten any information on any school being a ‘miracle centre’, we would continue to put our ears to the ground in case we hear of any that we can set an example with,” he said.

Teacher advocates independent examination centres

Rebecca Ezekiel, a teacher with NKST Secondary School, Makurdi, supported the establishment of independent examination centres, arguing that the move could reduce the influence of schools and teachers over external examinations conducted by bodies such as WAEC and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

She said computer-based testing would allow 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 instructions,” Ezekiel said.

She also recommended the use of biometric verification, Closed-Circuit Television cameras and other technologies to strengthen examination monitoring and prevent malpractice.

School proprietor cautions against labelling schools

However, Jude Odeh, a school proprietor in Otukpo Local Government Area, cautioned against automatically labelling schools as “miracle centres” simply because they admit students in their final year of secondary education.

Odeh said he had heard allegations about the existence of such centres in Benue but was yet to identify any specific school operating as a miracle centre.

He explained that some parents transfer their children to other schools for reasons including high examination registration fees, school fees and other financial considerations.

According to him, some schools charge examination fees arbitrarily, making the combined cost of school fees and examination registration unaffordable for some families.

Odeh, however, noted that some schools in Benue do not admit new students into Senior Secondary School Three, insisting that only students promoted from SS2 are registered for external examinations.

The debate comes amid renewed calls for stronger measures to protect the integrity of public examinations and ensure that candidates earn their results through genuine preparation and academic competence.