Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has issued a directive barring candidates found guilty of examination malpractice from sitting for any external examinations for three years.
The directive, outlined in a letter to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), was communicated by JAMB’s Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in a statement on Tuesday.
It stated that the ban will be enforced through the National Identification Number (NIN) and will apply to examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO), and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
The statement noted that this directive aligns with Section 16(2) of the Examination Malpractices Act, which authorises examination bodies to share the names of offenders with other bodies, allowing similar sanctions to be applied.
Additionally, any school or Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre involved in examination malpractice will face derecognition for a specified period. This sanction will be imposed concurrently by all related examination bodies.
In line with Sections 5(1)(c)(iv) and 6 of the JAMB Act, Dr Alausa emphasised that “Any school or CBT centre involved in examination malpractice or operating as a ‘miracle centre’ shall be derecognised for a period determined by the examination body. Other examination bodies should reciprocate by derecognising the same institution for the same duration concurrently. This measure aims to send a strong message to operators of such centres.”
He further stressed that “Students found guilty of examination malpractice will be barred from sitting for any external examinations in Nigeria, including those conducted by WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, for three years, enforced through the NIN. This stringent penalty is intended to deter both students and parents.”
The statement concluded by reiterating that the directive is meant to inform the general public, particularly candidates and their parents, about the consequences of examination malpractice.
Leave feedback about this