COVID-19 fear has tamed malpractice in 2020 WASSCE, says NUT

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) says COVID-19 fear has tamed malpractices in the ongoing West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASCCE).

According to Punch, Mike Ike-Ene, NUT’s secretary-general, was comparing the level of exam malpractices recorded in previous years to what has so far been observed in the 2020 WASSCE.

“One good thing we got from this COVID-19 is that the rate of malpractice has been reduced to the barest minimum. You know, people’s mouth and nose are covered, they can’t talk,” Ike-Ene said.

“They can’t move anyhow, everyone is afraid, taking responsibility and no one wants to die. Whatever result we have this year is going to be the real result got by the candidate.

“That is the advantage we have during this COVID-19.  Otherwise, you would have heard that people moved from one place to another; so, COVID-19 has tamed everyone.

“It is five days today; so, we are counting down. So far, students, invigilators, supervisors are all complying with the COVID-19 guidelines. Everyone is minding his or her business.”

The 2020 WASSCE had begun as scheduled on August 17, after a four-month closure of schools due to the pandemic, which prompted the government to give schools two weeks for revision.

“Students’ preparation differ. For poor parents who couldn’t get hooked to online classes on radio, television, zoom, and the likes as introduced…, it’s unfortunate,” Ike-Ene added.

“In the rural areas where network is a challenge, their fate is in the hands of God. For those who were able to join, such schools have not been idle.

“Some have done so well that it was Friday to Sunday that they resumed and did some revisions. Students’ preparation was poor, although some… have been attending lessons and doing e-learning.

“Between August 10 and now is not enough for any meaningful revision. You might be surprised that these results will be one of the best. We might have much more passes than failures.”