A’Ibom govt pays N830 WAEC fees for students in public schools

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Government has paid N830 million for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) for students in public secondary schools in 2022.

Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, who spoke on Friday in Uyo during the briefing of principals, supervisors and other examination functionaries for the 2022 WASSCE at Community Secondary Commercial School, Aka Offot, stated that Governor Udom Emmanuel was committed to a better future for every Akwa Ibom child.

Etiebet added that Emmanuel has been consistent in the payment of tuition fees, subventions, WASSCE, and other basic education-related requirements.

She urged key players and stakeholders in the education sector to collectively employ strategies and modalities in ensuring examinations are free from malpractices and other negative vices.

The Commissioner for Education said that the government has moved the performance template this year for students writing WASSCE to score a minimum of five credits including English Language and Mathematics from 80 to 90 per cent.

She said: “In the last three years, the analysis conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) shows that students in Akwa Ibom State have improved consistently and consecutively in their WASSCE results.

“This has exceeded the target Governor Udom Emmanuel gave for 80 per cent of students writing WASSCE in the state to score a minimum of five credits in subjects including English Language and Mathematics.”

Also speaking, Deputy Registrar and Zonal Coordinator for WAEC zonal office represented by the Senior Internal Auditor of WAEC, Mrs Faith Ihediwah said the body was committed to adding value to the educational goals of its stakeholders.

According to her, improvements in the activities of the body include e-Certman, collection of certificates by candidates at choice locations, and the prompt release of results.

She stated that statistics show a noticeable decline in reported examination malpractice cases and prayed for the cooperation of all stakeholders for the trend to continue.