The decision by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to introduce customised question papers for individual candidates is no doubt a bold and commendable step in tackling the age-old problem of examination malpractice. For too long, the integrity of public exams in Nigeria and other West African countries has been called into question due to widespread cheating, collusion and the leak of question papers.
With this new measure, WAEC is essentially saying that the era of sharing answers in exam halls is over. If no two students are given the same set of questions, the chances of copying or exchanging answers become slim. It is an innovative strategy, one that shows the Council is beginning to think outside the box in its fight against malpractice.
However, as with every policy change, there are challenges and concerns. One major issue is whether the exam body and schools are truly ready to implement such a system on a large scale. Will the printing and distribution of these customised papers be timely and efficient? What happens if a student’s paper goes missing? While WAEC has stated that emergency papers will be provided in such cases, there is still the question of whether these backup measures can be executed smoothly across thousands of centres.
Another concern is training. Are exam supervisors, invigilators and school administrators fully trained to handle this new system? The success of any reform lies not just in the policy but in the implementation. There must be thorough training and sensitisation at all levels to ensure this move does not create confusion or delay during exams.
On the positive side, this shift could return a sense of fairness and integrity to our examination system. For years, honest students have been discouraged and demoralised when their efforts are overshadowed by peers who cheat and get away with it. This new policy may help rebuild confidence and trust in public examinations and, hopefully, reduce the pressure on students to engage in malpractice.
But the fight against exam malpractice cannot end with customised papers alone. We must also look at the root causes. Many students cheat because they are unprepared, overpressured or have lost faith in the system. Schools must go back to focusing on quality teaching and formative assessment. Parents must support their children with proper study environments at home. Society must begin to reward hard work and integrity more than shortcuts and quick success.
As one concerned educator rightly pointed out, “We hope that those who know about this from WAEC won’t be the ones to compromise this move. As we all know, WAEC officials are easily bought at centres and centres across the federation also know how to use mercenaries which we call machinery to solve questions.”
In all, WAEC’s decision is a step in the right direction. It may not be perfect, and the road ahead may be rough, but if properly managed, it could be the beginning of a new era where merit is valued and examinations are truly a test of knowledge.
Let us all play our part. From parents to teachers, school heads to students and government bodies to civil society, everyone has a role to play in ensuring the success of this reform. Because in the end, the fight against exam malpractice is a fight for the future of education in Nigeria and West Africa.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
