The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will be handling answers to theoretical questions in its examinations somewhat differently, if the information given about its latest plans by one of the body’s top officials is anything to go by. Beginning with the ongoing November/December West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE), it will be assessing candidates’ written answers to questions by electronic means.
The Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Mr. Olutise Adenipekun, spoke about the adoption of the e-marking system by the body at a meeting he had with the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) on Wednesday. He said that the new method was being introduced in line with global trends. He also indicated that students, who are mostly young, were constantly looking out for innovative changes, and that the organization was trying to keep in step with their desires in this respect.
“We are providing services, and the people we are providing services to are youths”, he said. “Youths are naturally restless, so they also want to see new things”.
As a result of the introduction of the new system, booklets will now be attached to question papers, meaning that students will no longer be allowed to take their question papers home with them.
Mr. Adenipekun however said that teachers will continue to play an integral part in examinations conducted by WAEC, as their involvement would be required in the execution of the electronic marking project.
