…stresses holistic approach to examination fraud

The Federal Government has set 2027 as the target year to fully transition to computer-based testing (CBT), for all examinations, marking a significant step towards modernising Nigeria’s education system.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the inauguration of the Committee on the Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria, held in Abuja on Thursday.

Dr Alausa while speaking at the event, highlighted the objectives of the committee, which include addressing longstanding challenges within the education sector, standardising examination procedures, and ensuring fairness and quality in assessments nationwide.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating examination malpractices and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s educational evaluation processes.

Alausa described examination fraud as a multifaceted issue requiring a holistic approach, stressing that students are not the sole culprits.

According to the Minister, parents, teachers, school principals, and even exam supervisors often play roles in perpetuating the malpractice.

“Addressing exam leakages and malpractices requires a collective effort. Some parents encourage cheating, while certain educators and supervisors facilitate such acts,” Alausa said.

He underscored the role of technology in achieving the 2027 target, stating, “Our goal is to ensure that by 2027, all our examinations will be computer-based. Technology is key to achieving this aim.”

The committee will also address issues such as candidate swapping and other localised practices that undermine the credibility of the examination system.

This initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader agenda to reform and modernise the education sector while preserving the credibility of its examination processes.