WAEC Sets ICT Standards as WASSCE Goes Fully CBT by 2026

Schools across West Africa have been directed to upgrade their facilities as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) prepares to fully migrate the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to computer-based testing (CBT) by 2026.

Head of Examinations at WAEC, Mr. Lucky Njoagwuani, disclosed the requirements on Thursday during a sensitisation programme in Port Harcourt. He explained that schools must provide at least 250 functional laptops with 10 percent backups, a robust computer server capable of supporting 250 systems simultaneously, and a Local Area Network (LAN).

Other mandatory facilities include functional air conditioners and adequate lighting, uninterrupted power supply with a backup generator of at least 40kVA, CCTV surveillance, and a designated holding room or reception area for candidates.

Njoagwuani noted that the CBT transition would reduce logistics costs, improve security, and expand accessibility. “We started with the fourth series of our private candidate exam about two years ago, and it was successful. This year’s private candidate exam, second series, is fully computer-based with no option for pen and paper. Invariably, next year’s school candidate exam will be fully computer-based as well,” he said.

The Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator of WAEC, Mr. Adeniran-Amusan Akim, urged schools to begin immediate upgrades of their ICT centres, stressing that WAEC would not compromise standards. Schools unable to meet the requirements, he added, will be assigned to designated centres.

Backing the initiative, the Rivers State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Mr. Sunday Jaja, encouraged proprietors to tap into financing opportunities from the Bank of Industry and the Federal Government’s MSME intervention fund. “Technology is playing a vital role in modern education. This initiative will enable schools to stay abreast of current trends and prepare students for the digital age” he said.

The sensitisation exercise, jointly organised by Teadro Systems Ltd, NAPPS and partners including the Bank of Industry, HP, Lenovo, and Canon, also featured the donation of ICT gadgets such as computers, printers and tablets to schools through a raffle draw.