Exam Malpractice: Christian Schs Condemn WAEC’s Decision, Demand Apology
By CHAMBERLAIN ODEY, JOS – The Association of Christian Schools in Nigeria (ACSN) has condemned what it described as ‘cheap blackmail’ by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) following its decision to “disqualify Christian schools from participating in supervising the forthcoming (WAEC) examinations”.
Rising from its emergency meeting held at St John’s College, Jos on March 21, 2018, the Association frowned at the so-called suspension order communicated informally through verbal correspondence, and challenged the WAEC and Ministry of Education to “provide statistics to show the trends in examination malpractices across the Schools, which forms the basis of their decision”.
In a seven-point communiqué at the end of its meeting, ACSN also said; “the Christian Schools demand the laws and legislation that prohibit teachers from Christian schools from supervising WAEC examinations be made available”, noting that “they have been participating in this process over the years based on written communications that are on record”.
Signed by the President of the Association, Dr Mrs Ekaete Ettang, the communique stated that “the stigmatization of teachers from Christian Schools as cheats is most unacceptable”, and accordingly demands that “WAEC reverses this decision forthwith and tenders public apology to the Christian Schools for this misrepresentation”.
It further warned that “If WAEC does not reverse this decision and its planned implementation, Christian Schools will boycott all future WAEC examinations”.
Calling on WAEC to involve “all stakeholders in the planning and conduct of its examinations”, the communique said ACSN is “willing and ready to make positive contributions, as a key stakeholder, in this regard.”
ACSN said given its pedigree in the national educational sub-sector and as a development agent of note, the examination body decision is most unfortunate, even as it expressed regrets that “disqualifying Christian teachers from supervising WAEC impinges on our right, reputation, character, integrity, and group identity”.
