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2024 WASSCE: No going back on CBT for private candidates – WAEC

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says there is no going back on  conducting its first ever Computer Based Test (CBT) of its WASSCE for private candidates.

The council’s Head of National Office (HNO) Dr Amos Josiah Dangut stated this at a media parley on Monday in Lagos.

According to him, arrangements for the conduct of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate  Examination (WASSCE) first series for private candidates,  using the first ever CBT model have been concluded.

“We are here to give you an insight of the level of preparations so far, for the conduct of this maiden CBT examination.

“The council  is aware that the news of this innovation was initially greeted with some level of resistance. This only served as fuel for the test body to forge ahead on its course to conduct the CB-WASSCE.

The conduct of the Computer Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for Private Candidates, 2024 First Series, will take place from Wednesday, Jan. 31 and end on Saturday, Feb. 17, in Nigeria.

“This will span a period of two weeks and four days and to this end, there is no going back as plans  have therefore,  been concluded for this first-ever computer-based examination, which will be delivered in hybrid mode,” he said.

The HNO noted that WAEC Nigeria, in keeping with its vision of being a world-class examining body and its core value of innovation, had taken the bold step to offer candidates a viable alternative to the Pen and Paper model of examinations.

According to him, this is in line with  giving its stakeholders and publics, a view of the great potentials that exists in the computer-based approach to assessments.

Speaking further on,  the council boss stated that  the hybrid mode entailed that, the Objective or Multiple Choice questions, would be rendered on-screen and candidates were required to give their responses on the screen.

“The Essay and Practical questions will be rendered on-screen, likewise, but candidates will be required to give their responses using the answer booklets provided.

“The council  is encouraged by the acceptance of this innovation as evidenced in the number of entries received so far.

“As of today, Monday, Jan 29, a total of 8,285 candidates from across the federation  have registered for the examination. 

“Out of this number, 3,949 are male, representing 47.66 per cent, while 4,336  are female,  representing 52.3 per cent  of the total candidature.

“Candidates will be examined in 19 subjects, made up of 26 papers.

“For the successful conduct of the examination and to curb examination malpractices, carefully selected examination officials have been trained by council to serve as proctors during the conduct of the examination,” he said.
 Dangut noted that WAEC in a bid to further deliver on its mandate and as a way of helping candidates, had made available, its e-learning portal with materials that would demonstrate to candidates, the requirements for the conduct of the examination.
He urged candidates to  visit https://www.waeconline.org.ng/e-Learning/index.htm  to access the portal.
 
According to him, in addition, a tutorial video on how to navigate the examination portal is available on all council’s social media platforms.
 
He added that candidates could  also use the video to acquaint themselves with relevant information on demand and upon enquiry.
 
The council boss noted that  the results of candidates who would sit for the examination would  be released 45 days after the conduct of the last paper, while duly awarded certificates would be available on request via certrequest.waec.org.ng.
 
According to him, similarly, candidates can access digital copies of their certificates via the WAEC Digital Certificate portal by logging on to www.waec.org.
 
He noted that the CBT centres where the examination would be hosted across the nation were inspected with checklists and equipped with servers for the duration of the conduct of the examination.
 
He noted that trial tests were conducted across the country and a free mock examination also conducted for registered candidates on  Jan. 23 and Jan. 24
 
The council boss added that the final  international timetable for the conduct of the examination had been made available for proper and necessary guidance to prospective candidates.
 
“ In addition to the wide publicity that has been given to the examination via mass media outlets, social media has also been abuzz with news of the CB-WASSCE and the modalities for the conduct.
 
“WAEC,  being the foremost examining body, adding value to the educational goals of its stakeholders, has not rested on its oars, since the past 71 years of its existence. 
 
“It has continued to improve its service delivery across the board by leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the dynamic industry of assessment,”  he said. 

Education

Kwara Govt warns against illegal charges for Common Entrance exam

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The Kwara State Government has warned principals of Junior Secondary Schools and head teachers of primary schools across the state against illegal charges for the state placement examination (Common Entrance).

Any violator will face the full wrath of the law, the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, warned on Tuesday in her office in Ilorin.

She emphasized that the common entrance is free and government will not tolerate anyone or group of people extorting money, under any guise, from the pupils because the examination is fully sponsored by the state government.

Hajia Modibbo Kawu urged the principals and head teachers to desist from all acts that could dent the image of the state government.

She also cautioned them against aiding and abetting examination malpractices, stating that the present administration has zero tolerance for examination malpractices.

The commissioner implored the parents and guardians of the pupils to report any principal or head teacher with suspicious acts to her office directly, reiterating that her office is open to everyone.

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Education

UNILORIN appoints 40 new Professors

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By Saka Laaro, Ilorin

The University of Ilorin has announced the promotion of 40 of its senior academics to the rank of Professor.

The elevation, which was approved by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, was sequel to the recommendations of the University Appointment and Promotion Committee.

A statement from the Office of the Registrar said that the 40 distinguished scholars were found to have excelled in the realms of teaching, research and community service and subsequently promoted to the highest rank obtainable in the academia.

The breakdown of the beneficiaries of the promotion exercise shows that 11 of the new Professors are produced by the Faculty of Agriculture and they are Prof. Sidiqat A. Aderinoye-Abdulwahab, Prof. L. L. Adefalu,Prof. F. O. Takim and Prof. A. A. Badmos.

Others are Prof. Foluke E. Sola-Ojo, Prof. W. A. Jimoh, Prof. M. I. Abubakar, Prof. T. H. Aliyu, Prof. R. O. Uddin II, Prof. T. O. Amusa and Prof. Mutiat A. Balogun.
From the Faculty of Arts are Prof. K. M. U. Gbodofu, Prof. Y. A. Abdullahi, Prof. Abosede R. O. Babatunde, Prof. Bolanle E. Arokoyo, and Prof. P. U. Nwosu while the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences produced Prof. A. S. Alabi, who teaches at the Department of Anatomy.
Two Lecturers from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences were also elevated to the rank of Professor and they are Prof. T. O. Olanrewaju and Prof. O. A. M. Adesiyun.

The Faculty of Communication & Information Science also produced two new Professors through Prof. Tinuke O. Oladele and Prof. Saudat S. Abdulbaqi while those promoted from the Faculty of Education are Prof. O. O. Okoji, Prof. Folakemi O. Adeniyi-Egbeola and Prof. Florence O. Daramola

From the Faculty of Engineering and Technology are Prof. A. T. Ajiboye, Prof. A. Y. Abdulrahman, Prof. M. O. Sumonu, Prof. Rasheedat M. Mahamood and Prof. T. K. Ajiboye.

The Faculty of Law produced one new Professor in the person of Prof. A. C. Onuora-Oguno.
The Faculty of Life Sciences produced four new professors. They are Prof. M. O. Nafiu, Prof. Faoziyat A. Sulaiman, Prof. Risikat Nike Ahmed, and Prof. I. O. Sule.

Those promoted from the Faculty of Management Sciences are Prof. M. A. Ajayi and Prof. Rihanat I. Abdulkadir as the Faculty of Physical Sciences also produced two new professors through Prof. Haleemat I. Adegoke and Prof. O. A. Abidoye.

The promotion of Prof. Monisola A. Tunde of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management was also confirmed while the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine also produced one of the new Professors in the person of Prof. Z. Jaji from the Department of Veterinary Anatomy.

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Education

Student Union election turns deadly: One student flees for life, parents killed in tragic attack 

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In the quiet town of Ekiadolor, the College of Education became a battleground as student politics turned deadly. Odunuga Gbenga, a promising student, found himself thrust into the chaos of campus conflict.

It all began innocently enough when Gbenga was nominated as a contestant for the Student Union presidency. Little did he know that this simple act would plunge him into a nightmare.

During the election, tensions ran high as rival factions clashed violently. What was supposed to be a democratic process spiraled into chaos, with reports of killings, rapes, and riots echoing across the school grounds.

In fear for his life, Gbenga fled the campus, seeking refuge in the familiar embrace of his parents’ home in Edo State. But safety eluded him as darkness fell on that fateful night.

Under the cover of midnight, a group of assailants descended upon Gbenga’s home, shattering the peace of the night. In a desperate bid for survival, Gbenga fought bravely, but the odds were against him.

Tragically, Gbenga’s valiant efforts were in vain. Though he managed to escape, his beloved parents were not as fortunate. The attackers, driven by unknown motives, mercilessly took the lives of Mr. Samuel Odunuga and Mrs. Taiwo Odunuga, leaving a family shattered and a community reeling in shock.

Since that harrowing night in 2023, the search for Gbenga has consumed the hearts and minds of his grieving family. Their plea echoes through the pages of this newspaper, a desperate cry for justice and closure in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

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