The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has barred a number of secondary schools in Abia State from taking the regional body’s exams due to involvement in examination malpractice.
Uche Eme Uche, the Commissioner for Education, made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Umuahia, stating that the exam board had just informed the state of the development.
Despite her refusal to reveal the impacted schools, the commissioner stated that they were mostly private schools.
The commissioner, who frowned on any behaviour that could degrade the state’s image, stated that the concerned schools’ operational licences will be revoked to prevent others.
She noted that the state supported the action taken by WAEC as it would help halt the bastardization and lowering of academic standards in schools by some dubious operators.
Uche disclosed that the state government had previously shut down some of the affected schools due to their unwholesome practices, regretting that instead of heeding the warnings, they continued to cut corners.
Earlier, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said that Governor Alex Otti had approved the immediate renovation of 170 primary and 51 public secondary schools across the state.
He said 10 primary and three secondary schools would be selected from each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.