WAEC Blacklists 35 Schools over Examination Malpractices in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge

The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has blacklisted  35 schools in Rivers State over involvement in examination malpractices.

This was revealed in a letter signed by the Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator of the council on behalf of the Head of National office, S.D. Kum.

According to the letter addressed to the Commissioner for Education, Ministry of Education, Rivers State, the Council noted that the schools were indicted for examination malpractices, which is a serious offence.

Toping the list of derecognised schools by WAEC were private schools within the state and some state-owned schools.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, has reiterated that the state governments has zero tolerance for malpractices.

Speaking with THISDAY, Prof Ebeku said necessary actions have been taken against the schools delisted by the WAEC.

 He emphasised that the state government had taken steps against examination malpractices in the past with the dismissal and suspension of Principals, staff and withdrawal of approval certificates of private schools involved in malpractices.

He said: “Principals of the public schools delisted  have  been demoted and private schools delisted by WAEC may risk withdrawal of their approval certificate”.

Ebeku also clarified that the delisting of the 35 schools were part of the steps taken in collaboration with examination bodies to fight examination malpractices.

He noted that the state Ministry of Education will not rest on its oars until the tide of examination malpractices is reduced to the barest minimum.