Kehinde Fajobi
The Kogi State Ministry of Education has inaugurated an Examination Misconduct, Investigation, and Disciplinary Committee to investigate alleged malpractice during the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the state.
The committee, launched on Tuesday, will examine the roles of schools and individuals in the malpractice, recommend penalties for those found guilty, and operate under the provisions of the Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.
Chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jibrin Saidu Alhaji, the committee includes representatives from the Ministries of Education and Justice, the State Universal Basic Education Board, the Kogi State Secondary Education Commission, and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Mrs. Omolayo Barikisu Onozare serves as Secretary.
State Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, urged committee members during the inauguration in Lokoja to ensure fairness and uphold justice in their findings.
He emphasised the government’s zero-tolerance policy for exam fraud.
“The current administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo abhors examination fraud.
“Examination malpractice is a cankerworm that must be nipped in the bud, as it directly affects the future of our children,” Jones said, assuring that the government would fully implement the committee’s recommendations.
Dr. Jibrin Saidu Alhaji pledged the committee’s commitment to a thorough and impartial investigation.
This development follows WAEC’s decision to de-recognise certain schools and blacklist supervisors implicated in aiding malpractice during the 2024 WASSCE in Kogi State.
The committee has been given one week to submit its findings.