The West African Examinations Council says preparations to introduce the Computer Based Test mode in the administration of its examinations are at an advanced stage.
The clue was dropped on Saturday in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria by the head of the national office, Mr. Patrick Areghan.
Areghan was speaking as he prepared to step down from office on October 1 against the backdrop of noteworthy accomplishments and developments made by the council under his leadership.
After serving his three-year term, he would retire.
Areghan claimed that one of his goals for the council was implementing the CBT method of administration for some of its exams.
”We have already started something in terms of CBT examination. We have gone far with our planning and all of that, even in the sub-region, the registrar to the council is also doing something.
“But this is not as easy as some people will think. This is because we ask ourselves, how do we conduct CBT for practicals and essay papers?
“We can only readily do that in the case of objective questions. But so many people will not see it from that angle. They argue that some others are doing it, so why can’t WAEC do the same?
“Now, no one even talks about energy; how many schools are exposed to computer literacy? How many have computer facilities and how many have electricity to run these things?
“Even where you have all these things on the ground, how do you handle the issue of theory and practical papers? So, these are the issues, but that is what I want the council to do very shortly.
“We should be able to conduct CBT examinations, even if it means starting with the objective questions,” he said.
The outgoing WAEC boss noted that already, the council had concluded introducing the administration of its examination using the CBT platform under his watch, in no distant time, starting with the objective questions and later theory and practicals.
“But you can still be sure that not all schools will be ready. Maybe we can have a segregated market. Those who cannot afford the CBT will go for the pencil and paper mode.
“So, I would like to see WAEC in that light,” he said.
Areghan said aside from the introduction of the CBT, he would also like to see all the operations of the council fully digitalised shortly.
He noted that almost every section of the council had been digitalised under his watch.
“I have almost digitalised everywhere now. Talk of certificate, checking of results verification of results and more.
“I will live to see more massive deployment of technology so that the vision of the council can change from just being a world-class examination body to a technology-driven examination body.
“I also want WAEC to be more visible on the international stage. I want to see, through the cooperation of the sub-region, how we can take WAEC overseas, that is, how Nigerian children in the diaspora can sit for WASSCE overseas.
“That, again, is what I want WAEC to do very shortly. That is one thing I wanted to do under my watch, but, again like I said, it needs the cooperation of the sub-region, not just Nigeria, to take WASSCE overseas.
“I also want to see its digital certificate that we have successfully launched in Nigeria replicated in the entire sub-region, so that any candidate that has taken WASSCE, can be in any part of the world to access the digital certificate; that is a legacy.
“For instance, if your certificate gets missing, soaked, destroyed by fire and so on, with one touch on the bottom, it appears.
“For me, this is a great legacy,” the WAEC boss stated.
He added that the council’s Digital Security Printing Press is yet another significant accomplishment made while he was in charge.
He claimed that the invention of the digital security printing press, after 71 years of the council’s existence, is a commendable legacy.
He added that this is in addition to internal initiatives like the Staff Bus program that are intended to mitigate the impact of high transportation costs brought on by the elimination of fuel subsidies.
“We are going to do more to motivate staff. I am counting on my successor to follow suit, being a very committed and intelligent person. It is my prayer that he achieves more than me,” he stated.
Speaking on his greatest achievement, Areghan highlighted the successful conduct of examinations, release of results within stipulated time and printing and release of certificates to deserving candidates as key.