The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says plans to introduce the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode in the administration of its examinations are at an advanced stage.
The Head of National Office (HNO), Patrick Areghan, gave the hint in an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Lagos.
Mr Areghan was speaking against the backdrop of notable achievements and advancements of the council under his watch as he prepared to bow out of office on Oct. 1.
He would be bowing out after completing his three-year tenure.
Mr Areghan said that introducing the CBT mode of administering some of the council’s examinations had been part of his vision for the body in the near future.
“We have already started something in terms of the CBT examination. We have gone far with our planning, and with 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; 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 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 in the very near future.
“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 on 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 will like to see WAEC in that light,” he said.
Speaking on his greatest achievement, Mr Areghan highlighted the successful conduct of examinations, release of results within stipulated time and printing and release of certificates to deserving candidates as key.
“That is my greatest achievement. That is because when you work in the council and you fail to conduct any examination, no matter the other levels of achievements, you have failed.
“So, I give God all the glory that I have been able to conduct all the examinations, even in the COVID-19 years, from 2020 to 2023,” the outgoing council boss said.