Delta shuts two schools, sanctions 16 teachers for exam malpractices

The Delta state government has ordered the immediate closure of two private secondary schools while 16 teachers were sanctioned for their involvement in examination practices.

The order, according to a statement released on Sunday, followed the approval of a report of the examination ethics disciplinary committee investigation, by Patrick Ukah, the state commissioner for basic and secondary education.

According the statement, the report indicted some public and private schools in the state for examination malpractice during the 2018 West African Examination Council (WAEC).

The two schools — St. Vincent College, Ovwian and Anointed Secondary School, Ubogo — were shut down after their candidates sat for last year’s WAEC without the approval of the exam body or the ministry.

“Twelve supervisors found guilty of collusion, compromise, negligence of duty and failure to write reports at the end of the examinations have been banned from supervision of any school examination for a period of three years and their promotion deferred by one year,” the statement said.

“The Vice-Principal (Academics) of Ogidigben Grammar School, Ogidigben, Mrs H. Akponeware, who was found guilty of inefficiency in handling the affairs of the school in the absence of the principal, was demoted by one salary grade level.”

The commissioner stated that the move was an indication of ongoing reforms to rid the state of examination malpractice.

Ukah went on to warn others nursing similar intention of indulging in examination malpractices, noting anyone caught in the act would face the wrath of the law.

He added that the approved recommendations have been forwarded to the post primary education board for implementation.