The West African Examinations Council has de-recognised 13 secondary schools and warns 56 others in Kogi for their involvement in examination malpractices during the 2018 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

WAEC Desk Officer, Kogi Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Ademu Amos, disclosed this at a meeting with the principals, vice Principals and examination officers of the affected schools on Thursday in Lokoja.

Amos said that 13 secondary schools were de-recognised, while 56 others were seriously warned by the council due to examination malpractice.

He noted that the state government was not happy with the development, describing it as a serious issue that could dampen the hope of a nation.

According to Amos, the Examination Malpractices Act No. 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), offenders are liable to four-year imprisonment and a fine of N100,000 per student and N250,000 per school.

Amos explained that the major offences committed ranged from the use of mobile phones and sameness of work by copying one another in the examination.

WAEC Branch Controller in the state, Dr. Natty Bobai, said it had zero tolerance for examination malpractice and would do everything to curtail the menace.

He, however, commended the commissioner for tackling issues bordering on examination malpractice headlong and commended her resolve to stand with the Council for what it stands for.

Amos also urged the stakeholders to join hands with the Council in stamping out the menace of examination malpractice in the nation’s education sector.

Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, reiterated the commitment of the state government to reducing examination malpractice to its barest minimum in the state.

Osikoya stressed the need for stiffer penalties, as prescribed by law and other stringent measures to curb the menace in the state.

She noted that 47 secondary schools were de-recognised and 108 warned in 2017, while 13 schools were de-recognised and 56 warned in 2018.

She said the state government had been able to reduce the trend to 27. 6 per cent for de-recognition, 50.9 per cent warned, while 1.38 per cent were indicted.

She restated the commitment of the state government in restoring standard and quality education in schools across the state.

She, however, urged all the school operators, both private and public, to visit the ministry’s website and update their school profiles and records not later than March 31.

“All the de-recognised schools will not be used as examinations centres in 2019, and their names will be sent to the Police for prosecution according to the existing law.

“We have strengthened the policy structure in education in the state and emphasised the importance of record keeping in schools,” Osikoya said.

President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools in Kogi State, Dr. Ajole Goswins, who spoke on behalf of the principals, expressed disappointment over the re-appearance of some schools on examination malpractice list.

“The state government is doing its best and we must complement its efforts. We cannot allow this to continue, we must improve on ourselves,’’ he said.

He, therefore, appealed to the state government to checkmate the proliferation of substandard private schools in the state. (NAN)

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