The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has taken decisive action by banning 13 schools in Kogi State due to their involvement in examination malpractices during the 2023/2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Kogi’s Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, revealed this during a meeting with principals and supervisors implicated in the malpractice scandal. Additionally, 14 supervisors were blacklisted by WAEC for similar offenses.
Jones expressed the state government’s determination to crack down on exam malpractice, emphasizing that it is a criminal offense under the Kogi State Education Law of 2020. He announced that a committee, led by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, would investigate those implicated. Anyone found guilty would face prosecution in court.
“Kogi State has invested significantly in education and will no longer tolerate actions by a few bad actors undermining the progress we’ve achieved,” Jones stated.
Dr. Seidu Jibrin, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, echoed the commissioner’s stance, urging educators to uphold integrity. He warned that malpractice not only damages the state’s reputation but also compromises students’ futures.
“It is disappointing that while some teachers are recognized for excellence, others are being called out for misconduct. Such actions will attract severe sanctions,” Jibrin said.
Kogi State’s government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring that offenders are held accountable to protect the integrity of its education system.
