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The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has strongly urged the cancellation of the proposed computer-based test (CBT) format for the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) in the country. The forum expresses concerns that this mode of examination could lead to widespread failure, especially in the rural areas of northern states where computer skills are scarce or entirely absent.
According to Yerima Shettima, the National President of AYCF, who issued a statement in Kaduna on Friday, the CBT exams should have been made optional. Shettima argues that candidates should have been given the choice between the traditional pen-and-paper format and the computer-based approach. This, he believes, would enable students to opt for the format they are most comfortable with and capable of handling successfully.
Citing research conducted by the Forum in selected northern states such as Zamfara, Jigawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, and Plateau, Shettima highlighted consistent misleading failure rates among students attending public schools, where computer skills are often not taught. He emphasized that making the CBT exams compulsory puts underprivileged students at a disadvantage, as many struggle with the unfamiliar format.
Shettima pointed out that even the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board's CBT exams have posed challenges for underprivileged students. He mentioned systemic failures, including insufficient facilities, network issues during exams, and a lack of proper computer skills, as contributing factors to their struggles.
The AYCF president stressed that the call for cancellation became imperative to prevent a massive failure rate among students who deserve fair and equal opportunities for success. The Forum urges educational authorities to reconsider the mandatory implementation of CBT exams and advocates for a more flexible approach to accommodate the diverse needs of students across the country.
