The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) released the June/July 2024 In-School National Business Certificate (NBC) and National Technical Certificate (NTC) Examination results on Thursday, revealing that a total of 44,000 candidates, or 65.34 percent of all candidates, obtained five credits or higher, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Dr. Nnasia Ndarake Asanga While announcing the results at the board’s corporate office in Benin, officials stated that 62,235 applicants, or 92.42 percent of those who took the exams, received five credits or above with or without English Language and Mathematics.
According to him, 67,751 candidates enrolled for the exam at 1,708 locations across the country.
In comparison, he stated that this performance is lower than the results of the 2023 In-School NBC/NTC Examinations, in which 39,220 candidates, or 73.19 per cent, obtained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics, and 49,529 candidates, or 92.43 per cent, obtained five credits and above with or without English Language and Mathematics.
While commenting further, the NABTEB Acting Registrar decried the scourge of examination malpractice, claiming that it not only betrays the trust of educators and policymakers, but also deprives students of the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and lifelong learning skills.
“Examination malpractice has become a pervasive threat to the validity and reliability of educational assessments, eroding trust in the system and undermining the principles of fairness and equity.
“The scourge of examination malpractice not only betrays the trust of educators and policy makers but also robs students of the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and lifelong learning skills.
“It is against this backdrop that the board has continued to introduce various innovative approaches to combat examination malpractice in order to foster a culture of academic integrity while promoting authentic learning experiences.
“In the examination under review, 349 candidates representing 0.52 percent of the total number of candidates who sat for the examinations were involved in examination malpractice.
“Comparatively, a total of 239 candidates, representing 0.45 percent of the total number of candidates who sat for the 2023 In-School certificate examinations were involved in examination malpractice which implies a slight increase in malpractice incidences”, Dr. Asanga said.
The Acting Registrar also analysed an overview of NABTEB quality assurance processes, pointing out that NABTEB has a mandate to conduct examinations and perform skill-based assessments, leading to the award Business, Vocational and Technical Certificates at both Ordinary and Advanced levels.
“These certifications qualify individuals for workplace entry and access to tertiary education.
“Graduates from various Business, Technical and Vocational Colleges (at the Post-Basic Education level), as well as those trained in the informal sector such as apprenticeship schemes can earn qualifications that certify them as Artisans, Craftsmen or Certified Master Craftsmen.
“Our test items are generated and moderated by seasoned academics and professionals following standard procedures and best practices in assessment in public examinations” he declared.