As part of measures to reduce examination malpractices such as cheating and exam leakages among others, Nigeria’s WAEC has released an official WhatsApp Line for reporting WASSCE malpractice cases and irregularities.
This new contract was communicated via a Tweet by the Council.
“Report examination malpractice cases and irregularities in the ongoing WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023, to us on WhatsApp via 07047674637. Note that this number is strictly for reporting only examination irregularities, and cases will be treated with confidentiality.” The message read.
The tweet from the Council was greeted with mixed feelings, as many on Twitter doubted the readiness of WAEC to fight exam malpractices.
One reaction that painted an obvious picture of the extent to which WAEC’s credibility has been dented did indicate that examination malpractice has become a routine religious practice in Nigeria. It further described WAEC as a fake institution.
“WAEC exam malpractice is all over Nigeria. I have students in IBA Ojo Lagos that don’t even have a timetable. But we are called to come for the exam by their miracle helpers. WAEC is fake” The Tweet read.
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Another response that made WAEC look very shallow in its Tweet was that the line provided was not on WhatsApp at the time it was made public for the purposes of reporting WASSCE exam malpractices.
“Firstly, this number is not registered on WhatsApp. Then, if you want any serious report, give me one official that will go for supervision in the school I want to report. Because if you don’t get direct evidence, the report can’t be effective”
Others who reacted to the call by WAEC to report examination leakage among others argued that it was only “useless candidates” who will bother to report a crime they equally benefitted from and that the leadership or staff of WAEC may have also benefited from the legalities WAEC is asking the public to report.
The ongoing WASSCE has already been leaked several times on Telegram pages dedicated to helping students cheat in WAEC examinations. WAEC does not seem to bother about the annual illegality which has become lucrative for those who benefit from it internally and externally.
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“…and you expected them to report. Is only a useless student will think of that. Knowing fully well that you were also assisted back then in school. How many of you so-call WAEC Officials or WAEC board can sit and face the WAEC Examination, come to talk of JAMB”
From the above, it looks as though cheating and all kinds of examination malpractices that dent the credibility of WAEC have become systemic and entrenched, making it difficult to fight.