The West African Examinations Council has announced stringent measures to stem the tide of recurring examination practices among its candidates
The Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) of the West African Examinations Council, announced the measures in Lagos at the end of its 71st meeting, where it announced the approval of the cancellation of entire results of candidates involved in proven cases of examination malpractices, which attracted Cancellation of Entire Results (CER).
It said subject results of those involved in proven cases, which attracted Cancellation of Subject Results (CSR), be similarly cancelled,
adding that other candidates found wanting during the conduct of the examination would, in addition, suffer other sanctions such as barring from sitting for the council’s examinations for two years.
The examination body said schools that aided such practices are to be derecognized for a specified number of years or have their recognition completely withdrawn,while supervisors found culpable in the discharge of their examination duties will be formally reported to their employers and blacklisted.
It added that invigilators found wanting are to be reported to the appropriate authorities for disciplinary action.
It said: “The decisions of the committee will be implemented without delay and the affected candidates and examination centers duly informed by the Council. However, the results of candidates, who were exonerated by the Committee, will be released without any further delay.
“Furthermore, the Committee considered Special Cases, Clemency Cases and Restitution Cases from WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2020-Second Series and 2021-First Series.
“With regard to the General Résumé of the Chief Examiners’ Reports on WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2020-Second Series, the Committee noted the observation by the Chief Examiners that the standard of the papers compared favourably with those of previous years and that the clarity and unambiguity of the questions were worthy of note as they were within the scope of the syllabuses and ability of the candidates.
“They also reported that the rubrics were clear, questions were explicit and the marking schemes were comprehensive. The committee noted the various shortcomings of the candidates as reported by the Chief Examiners.”
The committee, which observed the decrease in examination malpractice, commended the council for its efforts in fighting the menace, noting that the deployment of technology and the cooperation of stakeholders were paying off.
It urged WAEC to make its research work on the “Factors Responsible for Examiners’ Apathy in Reporting Malpractice Cases in WASSCE in Nigeria” available to examiners charged with the responsibility of marking candidates’ scripts in the council’s examinations.
On the time limit for candidates to challenge NEC decisions on examination malpractice cases, the committee decided that all exhibits should be disposed of one (1) year after the release of results.
It added: “The decision to dispose of exhibits one year after the release of results should be publicized using the Council’s website, social media, paid adverts, schools and direct contact with candidates;
“Appeals against NEC decisions should be received from affected candidates within one (1) year from the date of the release of results of the examination;
“Appeals against decisions taken years ago should cease after one (1) year from the approval of this proposal .All the exhibits in storage should be properly disposed of at the expiration of a period of one (1) year from the date of the decision of this Committee if there are no pending litigations that will require them”
