WASSCE 2024 Results Released

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the release of the results for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates. 

According to the official announcement from WAEC Nigeria, the results were released on Monday, August 12, 2024. Students who sat the WASSCE exams earlier this year can now access their individual results by logging onto the WAEC direct website at waecdirect.org.

The WASSCE is a high-stakes exam taken by students across several West African countries at the end of their secondary education. The exam results are crucial in determining their eligibility for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions.

While the announcement did not provide any further details on the overall performance of candidates, the release of the results is welcome news for the thousands of school leavers anxiously awaiting their outcomes. 

Students and parents are advised to visit the WAEC website as soon as possible to check and download their individual scorecards. Any issues or discrepancies should be promptly reported to the examination body for resolution.

The successful conduct of the 2024 WASSCE, despite the ongoing educational challenges posed by the pandemic, is a testament to the resilience and commitment of students, teachers, and the examination authorities across the region.

New Minimum Benchmark Score for University Admissions Set at 140

In a significant development for the Nigerian education sector, stakeholders have agreed to set the minimum benchmark score for university admissions at 140. This decision was announced during the ongoing policy meeting in Abuja by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

Prof. Oloyede clarified that this benchmark is not a universal cut-off mark for all universities but rather a minimum score that no institution can go below. He emphasized that individual universities have the autonomy to set their own higher benchmarks based on their specific admission criteria.

Diverse Benchmark Scores Across Institutions

Various universities have submitted their minimum benchmark scores to JAMB. Notably, institutions such as Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos, Covenant University in Ogun State, Obafemi Awolowo University in Osun State, and the University of Lagos have set their benchmarks at 200 and above. This indicates a higher standard for admission compared to the general minimum benchmark.

Implications for Prospective Students

The establishment of a minimum benchmark score aims to standardize the admission process across Nigerian universities while allowing institutions the flexibility to maintain their unique standards. This move is expected to streamline the admission process and ensure a level playing field for all candidates.

Prof. Oloyede reiterated that JAMB's role is to set a baseline, and it is up to each university to determine their specific requirements. "JAMB does not set cut-off marks. What we have is a minimum benchmark score that any university cannot go below. Different universities have their benchmark scores," he stated.

This new policy is a step towards enhancing the quality of education in Nigeria by ensuring that only candidates who meet the minimum academic requirements are admitted into universities. It also provides clarity and transparency in the admission process, benefiting both institutions and prospective students.

-pmnews

Ethical Imperatives of Examination Conduct

Examinations play a pivotal role in assessing knowledge, skills, and competencies. However, the credibility of examinations has been eroded by the rising incidence of malpractice. In this article, we explore the ethical dimensions of examination management, emphasizing the rules and consequences for violating them.

The Concept of Examination:

Examinations serve as value judgments on an individual's performance, assessing desired traits, skills, and knowledge. They can take various forms—written, oral, or practical—and evaluate cognitive and non-cognitive abilities. 

Ethical Issues in Examination Management:

1. Fairness and Decency: Examinations must be conducted fairly, without favoritism or bias. Equal opportunities should be provided to all candidates.

2. Honesty and Integrity: Maintaining honesty in examination processes is crucial. Students, teachers, and administrators must uphold integrity by avoiding cheating, collusion, or any form of deception.

3. **Security and Confidentiality: Safeguarding examination materials and maintaining confidentiality ahead of the examinations are essential. Unauthorized access to questions compromises the integrity of the process.

4. Impartiality and Transparency: Marking and grading should be transparent, free from personal biases. Impartiality ensures that deserving candidates receive fair evaluation.

5. Prohibition of External Aid : Candidates must not seek or receive external assistance during exams. This includes using unauthorized materials, communication devices, or other aids.

6. Proper Conduct: Students should adhere to the rules during exams, maintaining decorum and avoiding disruptive behavior.

*Image Creator 

Proper Conduct During Examinations and Consequences for Breaking the Rules

The examination hall is a sacred  demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a fair and honest manner. To ensure the sanctity of this process, they must adhere to the following guidelines:

a. Authorized Materials Only: Candidates are only permitted to bring approved writing instruments, calculators, and other authorized materials into the examination hall. The possession of any unauthorized items, such as cheat sheets or electronic devices, will  result in immediate disqualification and further disciplinary action.

b. Absolute Silence: Maintaining complete silence and refraining from any form of communication with fellow candidates is of utmost importance. Engaging in whispers or conversation can lead to the cancellation of candidate(s)' examination.

c. Independent and Honest Efforts: Cheating or copying from others is a grave violation of academic integrity. Such acts will result in the cancellation of your exam, and you may face severe penalties, including potential barring from future examinations.

d.. Adherence to Instructions: Carefully reading and following all instructions provided in the exam paper or by the invigilators is crucial. Failure to do so can lead to the invalidation of your answers or the cancellation of your examination.

e. Respectful Behaviour: Exhibiting respectful and disciplined conduct towards the invigilators and your fellow candidates is expected. Any disruptive or discourteous behavior may result in your removal from the examination hall, and further disciplinary measures may be taken.

f. Punctuality: Arrive at the examination hall before the scheduled start time and occupy your designated seat. Late arrival or failure to be seated in the assigned seat may result in the denial of entry or the cancellation of examination for the candidate(s).

g. Staying in the Hall: Candidates are generally not permitted to leave the examination hall during the exam, except for legitimate reasons and with the permission of the invigilators. Unauthorized departure can lead to the invalidation of  answers or the cancellation of  examination.

Remember, the rules and consequences outlined here may vary depending on the specific examination or institution. It is your responsibility as a dedicated student to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the guidelines and uphold the principles of academic integrity.

By adhering to these ethical standards, the processes not only demonstrate  commitment to excellence but also contribute to the fairness and credibility of the examination process. Let us embark on this journey of academic pursuits with unwavering integrity, ensuring that  successes made are truly reflective of the candidates' hard work and knowledge.

Nigerians to Apply for and Receive Passports From Home Starting in March

The federal government announced today it will start allowing full contactless passport applications and courier delivery services beginning in March. The initiative aims to simplify and expedite passport issuance across the country.

According to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, applicants will soon be able to complete the passport application process entirely online without visiting any offices. Approved passports will then be delivered securely to the applicant's chosen address via courier.

The contactless application system will enable Nigerians to apply for standard passports from anywhere using their phones, computers or other devices. Biometric and personal data will be captured electronically.

Once approved, the immigration service will print and deliver the passport using dedicated courier providers. Applicants can track the production and delivery status online.

The government hopes streamlining the application process will reduce congestion at passport offices while making the travel document more accessible to all citizens.

The new contactless application and courier delivery system will launch in March 2024 following completion of necessary upgrades to infrastructure and technology systems.

Additional application centers are being established across the country to support the initiative and process higher passport demand.

"We are modernizing the passport application process to make it seamless for all Nigerians," said MinisterOlubunmi Tunji-Ojo. "The full digitization and courier delivery will make applying for a Nigerian passport stress-free."

JAMB Activates Profile Codes for 2024 UTME Registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that registration for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is now open. Candidates can generate their profile codes, which is the first step in the JAMB registration process. 

According to JAMB's Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the registration portal opened at midnight on January 8, 2024. Once candidates have their profile codes, they can proceed to accredited centers to complete their registration. The deadline for registration is February 28, 2024. 

The profile code generation and registration process has been decentralized by JAMB to reduce overcrowding at cybercafes and CBT centers. Candidates are advised to generate their profile codes with their National Identification Number (NIN) from any location using their mobile networks. 

The minimum acceptable score in the 2024 UTME remains 200 marks. Dr. Benjamin reiterated JAMB's commitment to ensuring the UTME is seamlessly conducted, with adequate monitoring to check examination malpractices. The 2024 UTME is scheduled to hold from March 9-16, 2024.

Candidates are advised to complete their registrations on time to avoid last-minute rush and technical hitches. The JAMB helplines will be open to attend to inquiries and complaints from candidates.  

The UTME is a prerequisite exam for admission into Nigeria's tertiary institutions. Over 1.5 million candidates are expected to sit for the 2024 UTME.