WAEC blacklists Abia schools over malpractice

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has barred some secondary schools in Abia State from participating in the regional body’s examination over involvement in examination malpractice.

Commissioner for Education Prof. Uche Eme Uche, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia, the state capital, said that the state had just been informed by WAEC about the development.

Although she didn’t disclose the affected schools, the commissioner noted that most of the schools affected were private schools.

The Commissioner, who frowned at any act capable of tarnishing the image of the state, said the operational licences of the affected schools would be withdrawn as a deterrent to others.

She explained that the state supported the action by WAEC as it would help halt the lowering of academic standards in schools by some dubious operators.

Uche said the state had previously shut down some of the affected schools due to their unwholesome practices,but they continued to cut corners.

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Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the state governor, Dr Alex Otti had approved the immediate renovation of 170 primary and 51 public secondary schools across the state.

He said 10 primary and three secondary schools would be selected from each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.

The renovation, according to him, is to give a facelift to public schools in the state and make them conducive and attractive for learning.

He explained that this was in addition to the six model schools currently being established in the three senatorial districts.

He also said the governor had also approved the disbursement of N62 million in bursaries to Abia Law undergraduates in different tertiary institutions across the country.

This, he said, was to assist them following the increase in their fees and cost of training amid the biting economic hardship.

On the schools’ renovation, the Commissioner for Education said each of the benefiting schools would have staff quarters, a Head teacher’s house, and a caretaker’s house to ensure water-tight security of the school property.

The gesture, according to her, is a demonstration of the high premium that the Otti-led administration attaches to education as the cornerstone of any society.

She said the state government had resolved to revive and promote education in the state, adding that the renovation will be done in phases until all public schools in the state receive a facelift.