Connect with us

Education

WAEC mandates 250 computers, CCTV for schools participating in CBT

Published

on

The West African Examinations Council has outlined key facilities schools must provide ahead of the full migration of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination to computer-based testing by 2026.

Head of Examinations, WAEC, Mr Lucky Njoagwuani, disclosed this on Thursday during a sensitisation programme in Port Harcourt.

According to him, schools must put in place a minimum of 250 functional laptops with 10 per cent backups, a robust computer server capable of supporting 250 systems simultaneously, and a Local Area Network setup.

Other mandatory requirements include functional air conditioners and lighting, uninterrupted electricity supply, a backup generator with at least 40kVA capacity, CCTV cameras, and a holding room or reception facility for candidates.

Njoagwuani noted that the move to CBT would cut logistics costs, improve exam security, and widen accessibility.

“We started with the fourth series of our private candidate exam about two years ago, and it was successful. This year’s private candidate exam, second series, is fully computer-based with no option for pen and paper. Invariably, next year’s school candidate exam will be fully computer-based as well,” he said.

The Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator of WAEC, Mr Adeniran-Amusan Akim, urged schools to begin upgrading their ICT centres in line with WAEC standards, stressing that the CBT system “is here to stay.”

He added that schools unable to meet the requirements would be assigned to designated centres.

“WAEC will not lower the standards. Any school that wants to host the exams within its premises must provide the required equipment and infrastructure,” Akim stated.

Also speaking, the Rivers State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Mr Sunday Jaja, encouraged school owners to leverage funding opportunities from the Bank of Industry and the Federal Government’s MSME intervention fund to finance the transition.

“Technology is playing a vital role in modern education. This initiative will enable schools to stay abreast of current trends and prepare students for the digital age,” Jaja said.

The sensitisation event was jointly organised by Teadro Systems Ltd, NAPPS, and partners, including the Bank of Industry, HP, Lenovo, and Canon.

The highlight was the donation of ICT gadgets, including computers, printers, and tablets, to schools through a raffle draw.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Education

New Curriculum – Full List of JSS, SS subjects

Published

on

The full list of subjects in the newly introduced school curriculum has surfaced online after the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, shared it on Wednesday.

Olusegun, in a post on his X handle, displayed an unsigned and unmarked image said to contain the subjects for Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School.

“The new curriculum for Nigerian Schools which will commence from the next session in September 2025 has been released,” he said.

The curriculum, which was unveiled by the Federal Government on Sunday, introduces compulsory digital literacy and basic entrepreneurship at the JSS level, while programming, artificial intelligence, and new languages feature prominently at the SSS level.

Below is the full list of subjects for JSS and SSS as shared:

JUNIOR SECONDARY (JSS 1–3)

  • Mathematics & Measurement: Numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, rates, geometry (angles, area, volume), algebra, statistics, graphs, measurement (km, m, cm, g, kg, ml, °C, time zones).
  • English Language: Essay writing (narrative, descriptive), advanced grammar (clauses, idioms), comprehension, vocabulary, oral (debates, speeches, drama).
  • Integrated Science: Physics (motion, forces, energy), chemistry (matter, mixtures, reactions), biology (cells, reproduction, ecology), earth science (climate, resources), technology, lab safety.
  • Digital Literacy & Coding: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet research, coding (Python basics, Scratch advanced), robotics (basic kits).
  • Social Studies: Nigerian and African history, geography, civics, economy (trade, money, entrepreneurship basics), global issues.
  • Languages: Advanced mother tongue, conversational fluency in foreign language (French/Arabic).
  • Creative Arts: Drawing, painting, crafts, drama, theatre, film basics, music.
  • Physical & Health Education: Sports, fitness, nutrition, reproductive health, first aid, drug abuse awareness.

SENIOR SECONDARY (SS 1–3)

  • Mathematics & Advanced Applications: Algebra, trigonometry, calculus basics, probability, statistics, financial maths, applied maths.
  • English & Communication: Advanced essays, academic writing, literary analysis, world literature, research skills, public speaking, journalism, fact-checking.
  • Sciences: Physics (mechanics, waves, electricity, nuclear physics), chemistry (organic, inorganic, industrial, analytical), biology (genetics, ecology, biotechnology), environmental science.
  • Technology & Innovation: Programming (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS), data science basics, AI & robotics, digital entrepreneurship, cybersecurity.
  • Social Sciences: Government & law, economics (micro, macro, trade), history (Africa, world revolutions), philosophy & ethics, entrepreneurship.
  • Languages: Advanced mother tongue literature, fluency in international language (French/Arabic/Chinese optional).
  • Creative Arts & Innovation: Fine arts, music, drama, film/media production.
  • Physical & Health Education: Advanced sports, mental health, first aid & CPR, leadership.
  • Research & Project Work: Final-year project, data collection, analysis, presentation & defense.
  • FOLLOW US ON:FACEBOOK

    TWITTER

    PINTEREST

    TIKTOK

    YOUTUBE

    LINKEDIN

    TUMBLR

    INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Education

Ondo approves N350m for student scholarships, bursaries

Published

on

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the sum of N350 million as payment for the 2025 scholarship and bursary for students of the state’s origin in higher institutions across the country.

This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Tuesday in Akure.

According to Aiyedatiwa, the payment will cover five categories of students, including medical students, law students, and students with disabilities.

He noted that the money was approved for about 12,000 students, which was an improvement from that of 2024, when the sum of N335m was disbursed to 11,200 students.

Aiyedatiwa noted that in 2024, the annual bursary for the students was increased from N10,000 to N20,000, while students with disabilities got N75,000 each and scholarship beneficiaries got N100,000 each.

“My administration recognises education as the cornerstone for development. It is the key to unlocking the potential of young people.

“Many of our students face significant financial challenges in pursuing their academic dreams.

“That is why we have these bursaries and scholarship awards, as well as financial assistance, to provide support, alleviate financial burdens, and enable our students to focus on their studies,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa said that the awards were a testament to the government’s commitment to investing in the future of the state and the country.

“We must ensure that our students have access to quality education and the necessary support to excel in their academic pursuits,” he said.

Recall that the government, on August 27, banned private schools from organising graduation ceremonies for pupils of nursery and primary schools, as well as students of junior secondary school in the state.

It also prohibited illegal and unregistered schools and banned the reaccreditation of all private schools for quality assurance.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Education

Leave before visa expires, UK warns foreign students

Published

on

Tens of thousands of international students in the United Kingdom are being directly contacted by the government with a warning: leave the country when your visa expires or face removal, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

The Home Office has launched a new campaign aimed at tackling what it describes as an “alarming” rise in student visa holders attempting to stay in the UK by claiming asylum.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the government is now proactively contacting students via text and email to issue formal warnings about the consequences of overstaying.

The campaign came amid growing concern in Whitehall about students using the asylum system as a way to remain in the country after their studies end.

“If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” the messages read, as reported by BBC.

According to Home Office data, around 15 per cent of asylum applications last year—approximately 16,000—were submitted by people who originally arrived on student visas. While the data does not specify how many of those were made after visas had expired, officials say the pattern is clear enough to warrant immediate action.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that some students are “claiming asylum even when things have not changed in their home country.”

She added, “We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees, but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course.”

Cooper also said the growing number of students entering the asylum system is placing added pressure on already overstretched asylum accommodation and hotel services.

Around 10,000 students whose visas are nearing expiry have already received direct warnings.

A further 130,000 students and their families are expected to be contacted in the coming months, coinciding with the busy autumn intake period, according to the BBC.

The message being sent reads in full, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused.

“Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support.

“If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” as reported by BBC.

The crackdown is part of a broader tightening of immigration rules under the Labour government. In May, the Home Office announced that universities would face stricter thresholds on visa refusal and course completion rates to maintain their ability to sponsor international students.

While much public attention has focused on small boat arrivals across the Channel, ministers are increasingly concerned about legal entrants—such as students—who later switch to the asylum system.

Of the 108,000 asylum applications made in the UK last year, around 40,000 came from people who arrived legally, including on work, study, or visitor visas. By contrast, about 35,000 came from small boat crossings, BBC reported.

Among legal entrants, student visa holders made up the largest group seeking asylum, with numbers almost six times higher than in 2020. Although the figure has since fallen by 10 per cent, the Home Office wants further reductions.

Cooper acknowledged that student visa asylum claims account for just over 10 per cent of total applications but insisted that “to fix the system, we must tackle every single bit of it.”

The government has also moved to reduce the amount of time overseas graduates can stay in the UK after completing their courses, from two years to 18 months.

The number of successful asylum claims from skilled worker visa holders has also declined, according to recent Home Office figures.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending