The Federal Government has set a 2027 target for transitioning its examination system to 100 per cent computer-based testing (CBT).
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced this during the inauguration of the Committee on Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria yesterday in Abuja.
Alausa said the committee was set up to address key challenges in the education sector, standardise examination practices and ensure fairness and quality.
The minister restated Federal Government’s commitment to tackling widespread examination malpractices and enhancing the overall quality of the nation’s educational assessments.
He noted that tackling examination leakages requires a holistic approach as students are not the only culprits in examination malpractices.
Alausa said that parents also contributed to examination malpractices by encouraging their wards.
The minister stressed that teachers, head teachers as well as examination supervisors were also culpable in the rising examination malpractices in the country.
“So, we’re planning that by 2027, all our examinations will be computer-based. We will work so hard to ensure this happens. We have to use technology to help our endeavour. The committee will also be working with local swapping of candidates.
“There are multiple participants in examination practices. From the student to parents, teachers, principals, to even people regulating and supervising exam conduct.
“During this change, a lot of areas of compromises will happen. There will be people investigating and regulating the examinations”, he said.
Alausa outlined several goals the committee was set up to achieve, including eliminating examination leakages, addressing identity theft in examinations and improving examination supervision.
The minister stressed the importance of transitioning to computer-based examinations by 2027 and combating local swapping of candidates during examinations.
According to him, this will be made possible through the government’s substantial funding of education under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration with a strong focus on human capital development.
