Stakeholders Kick Against Monopolising WAEC CASS Registration In Imo
Stakeholders in the education sector have raised alarm on the dangers of registering WAEC Continuous Assessment Scores(CASS) by a single digital operator under the supervision of Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy
They accused the Commissioner of Education of issuing directive that CASS should be exclusively handled by single digital operators .
Some stakeholders who spoke to journalists called on the state Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma to kindly review the directive to avoid its imminent dangers.
A former principal of Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School Owerri who spoke to our reporter said that although the intention may be to streamline the process and enhance digital accountability and to generate revenue, it poses serious dangers that must not be ignored
According to one of the ICT operators, ” for years, private computer business centres and ICT operators across communities have handled WAEC CASS registration efficiently.
“These operators, who have invested in digital infrastructure and built trust with schools, now face sudden exclusion.
“This action could lead to the loss of thousands of small business jobs, especially among young ICT professionals who depend on this annual exercise for income”.
He added that “allowing a single company or entity to control WAEC registration creates a dangerous monopoly within the educational digital economy.
” Monopolies restrict competition, inflate service costs, and reduce accountability. Once other operators are eliminated, schools and parents will be left with no alternative provider, exposing them to possible exploitation and poor service delivery”.
A parent who spoke to our reporter said, “Private ICT centres have, over time, contributed to digital literacy and innovation at the grassroots level.
“Excluding them violates principles of fair market competition as enshrined in Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).
“This move undermines the spirit of the Digital Economy Policy, which encourages inclusivity, entrepreneurship, and fair access to technology”.
He pointed out that many schools in rural areas rely on local café operators for prompt registration and technical support, stressing that centralizing the process in one body could delay submissions, increase costs, and disconnect rural schools from digital access—contrary to the government’s promise of inclusive digital education.
He appealed to the governor to review the directive from the Commissioner for Education.
Others who spoke to journalists called on the Commissioner of Education and stakeholders to review the policy and adopt a more inclusive framework by allowing the continuous participation of Private Café Operators who are already familiar with the job to continue to participate in the exercise to enhance proficiency and competition.
” Let us build a digital education system that empowers all, not one that benefits a few. A true digital economy thrives on competition, innovation, and inclusivity—not monopoly, “they added.
