The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has blacklisted 13 schools in Kogi State from participating in the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) due to their involvement in examination malpractices during the 2023/2024 session.

Supervisors Also Blacklisted

In addition to banning the schools, WAEC has blacklisted 14 supervisors implicated in the malpractice. This was disclosed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, during a meeting with indicted school principals and supervisors.

State to Prosecute Offenders

Mr. Jones emphasized that examination malpractice is a criminal offense and will be dealt with under the Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020. He assured that those found guilty, including principals, teachers, and supervisors, would face prosecution.

“A committee led by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary will investigate the individuals indicted by WAEC,” Jones stated, adding that the government would no longer condone actions that undermine its investments in education.

Call for Ethical Practices

Dr. Seidu Jibrin, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, urged stakeholders to reflect on their actions and avoid practices that tarnish the state’s educational progress.

“While some teachers are being celebrated for excellence, it is regrettable that others are being condemned for malpractice,” he remarked.

Government’s Position

Kogi State has prioritized educational development, recently approving ₦600 million for over 18,000 students to participate in WASSCE. The government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for malpractice and affirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of the examination process.