The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has de-registered 13 schools and blacklisted 14 supervisors in Kogi State over their involvement in various degrees of malpractice during the 2023/2024 examinations.
In response to these actions, the Kogi State government has vowed to enforce the Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020, to prosecute school principals, teachers, and supervisors found aiding or abetting such malpractices.
Wemi Jones, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, disclosed this during a meeting in Lokoja with principals and supervisors implicated in the malpractices. He emphasized that examination malpractice is a criminal offense and will be addressed accordingly.
“The West African Examination Council has deregistered 13 schools and blacklisted 14 supervisors for involvement in examination malpractices last year. This is unacceptable, and a committee, led by the Permanent Secretary, will be established to investigate those indicted by WAEC. Any individual found guilty will face prosecution,” the commissioner stated.
Jones expressed the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the education sector, stressing that the state’s significant investments in education would not be undermined by a few bad actors. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to protect the future of students and uphold educational standards.
Dr. Jibrin Alhaji, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, also addressed the meeting, urging principals and supervisors to reflect on their actions. He condemned the involvement of educators in malpractice, noting that such behavior not only damages the state’s reputation but also jeopardizes the future of its students.
“While some teachers are being celebrated for their achievements, it is disheartening to see others called out for acts of condemnation. Everyone must consider how their deeds will be judged by posterity,” he said.
The Kogi State government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards examination malpractice and pledged to work closely with stakeholders to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of its education system.
