Edo bars external candidates from writing WASSCE, NECO

The Edo government has barred external candidates from writing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams in the state.

The ban, announced by Joan Osa-Oviawe, the commissioner for education, also covers the National Examination Council (NECO).

Osa-Oviawe spoke on Wednesday after an exco meeting. He said the new regulation applied to both government-owned and private schools in the state.

“The exco mandated the ministry of education to put out a public announcement,” the commissioner said.

“[This is to] inform parents and proprietors of private schools as well as public schools’ principals that effective immediately, no external candidates will be allowed to write any exams in Edo.

“This affects West African Examinations Council and National Examination Council, junior secondary school as well as primary six exams.

“The EXCO is only reinforcing this message for the ministry implementation extant policy; this is not a new thing.”

Osa-Oviawe said the decision is part of the state’s effort to eliminate exam malpractice in its schools.

“The government wants to enforce it as part of a determined process to eliminate exam malpractice in our schools. The general public should please take note,” he added.

“The expiration for WAEC registration deadline is 25th of February and I am using this opportunity to tell private school owners who are yet to clear for the WAEC exam to do so as a matter of urgency.

“The council also mandated that beginning from the next academic year, which is 2022/2023 this year, grace skipping will no longer be allowed.

“That policy will be enforced by the state Ministry of Education. That means learners will not be allowed to skip primary six to move on to JSS one or write WAEC in any of our public schools.”