From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
West African Examination Council (WAEC) has made public the timetable for the May/June 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Head, Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Patrick E. Areghan made the disclosures on Monday, May 9, 2022 at the WAEC national office, Yaba, Lagos.
While revealing the security measures put in place to ensure a hitch-free examination, Areghan revealed that the 2022 WASSCE for school candidates, will take place between 16th of May and 23rd of June, 2022 in Nigeria, spanning a period of Six weeks.
Giving a breakdown of the number of candidates who registered for the examinations, the head of the examination council in Nigeria said “A total of one million, six hundred and seven thousand, nine hundred and seventy five (1, 607, 975) candidates from twenty thousand, two hundred and twenty one, (20,221) schools registered for the examination.”
He disclosed that out of number that registered, eight hundred thousand and fifty five (800, 055) are males, comprising (49, 76%} while eight hundred thousand, seven hundred and twenty four (800,724) are females, comprising (50.24%} of the total candidature.
Speaking on the number of subjects for the examination, he said that candidates would be examined in 76 subjects, made up of 297 papers and that about 30,000 practicing senior teachers, nominated by various ministries of education, would be participating in the examination as supervisors.
Areghan also spoke on when the result of the eamination will be released. “Release of result will be 45 days after the conduct of the last paper, while the certificates will be printed and issued to schools in less than 90 days after the release of the results. WAEC Nigeria, in its bid to serve the Nigerian child better, has acquired a state-of-the art printer that delivers outstandingly high quality and high volume output.”
He said even though the National Identification Number (NIN) was made a component of the registration process, it was not a compulsory requirement in order not to disqualify many candidates. “Even after the registration exercise, candidates were, and are still being allowed to submit their NIN for upload. I, therefore, want to make it categorically clear that no candidate was denied registration as a result of non-submission of NIN,” he reiterated.
On Covid-19 protocol, he said although Covid-19 is abating, during the conduct of the examination, the protocols rolled out by the federal and state governments of Nigeria will still be strictly adhered to. “All Examination functionaries, including Council staff on distribution; supervisors; inspectors, candidates, and schools officials have been briefed and advised to follow all Covid-19 protocols.”
He averred that the board is liaising with Inspector General of Police and various state governments to provide security in order to ensure that the examination is conducted under a secure and safe environment.
The Head of WAEC Nigeria also stressed the evil of examination malpractice, saying severe punishment awaits perpetrators. He also warned operators of miracle centres, Rogue Website operators to desist from the nefarious activities or face the full wrath of the law.
He added that WAEC has made available its e-learning portal as a way of helping candidates with learning materials that will equip them with the necessary requirements and expectations needed to write and pass their examinations. He said candidates should visit https:WAEConline.org.ng to access the portal.
