Poor Administration Of External Examinations In Imo

On Friday, July 17, the Imo State Ministry of Secondary and Primary Education conducted the Common Entrance and First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) examinations across the state.

The Common Entrance examination is designed for pupils seeking admission into secondary schools, while the First School Leaving Certificate examination serves as the exit assessment for pupils completing primary education.

These two examinations had previously experienced postponements before being administered over the weekend.

Several significant lapses occurred during the examinations, notably the late arrival of invigilators and ministry officials, which constituted a major oversight.

While invigilators attributed their tardiness to the two-day downpour on Thursday and Friday, it is important to note that pupils, along with their parents and guardians, managed to arrive at the examination centers as early as 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM for exams scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM. Consequently, the officials’ arrival at the centers as late as 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM is unjustifiable.

Moreover, some officials arrived without an adequate supply of question papers, which compelled parents and guardians to contribute funds for photocopying the examination materials to ensure that all pupils received copies.

This oversight raises questions regarding the ministry’s awareness of the exact number of pupils enrolled for the examinations. It also prompts speculation about whether cost-cutting measures were employed at the expense of the pupils.

Due to the delays caused by officials and invigilators, the examinations extended into the night, forcing children aged between 10 and 12 years to remain in examination halls until as late as 9:00 PM, often in poorly lit conditions due to power outages. As a result, students resorted to using mobile phone torches, candles, and flashlight devices.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Secondary and Primary Education, Prof. BTO Ikegwuoha, attributed the disruptions to his absence from the state due to health issues.

This explanation appears inadequate and raises concerns about the professionalism of the invigilators and officials involved. It is unreasonable to suggest that the absence of the commissioner justified the lack of diligence exhibited by the invigilators.

Consequently, accountability measures should be implemented to ensure that the consequences faced by the negligent invigilators and officials serve as a deterrent to others.

This publication expresses gratitude that the security situation in Imo State has not deteriorated to the extent seen in the North and parts of the Southwest, where students are abducted en masse and held for ransom. Had the security conditions worsened, families would have faced significant distress and the need to raise funds for ransom payments to secure the release of their children.

While we do not advocate for the elimination of the Common Entrance and First School Leaving Certificate examinations, as some parents have demanded in frustration, it is essential to recognize that, despite their limited significance to the educational development and well-being of pupils, these examinations should continue to encourage students to study diligently and engage their intellect.

However, the substandard administration of these examinations must not be permitted to recur.

The current administration under Senator Hope Uzodimma appears ill-prepared to effectively manage the educational system in the state, particularly concerning the administration of examinations. In previous years, fees were collected only for the administration of the Junior WASSCE to be staggered.

We however commend the ministry for eliminating specific practices that allowed schools, particularly privately owned institutions, to exploit parents, such as organizing graduation ceremonies for children completing nursery and various stages of primary and secondary education.