The National Examinations Council (NECO) has come under intense scrutiny following a recent briefing in Ikom that has exposed a web of dishonesty between school principals and NECO staff. This revelation has left many stakeholders in the education sector disillusioned and questioning the integrity of the NECO examination process.
During the briefing, it was revealed that principals, who have gone to great lengths to register candidates for NECO exams, are not being compensated with the necessary number of supervisors. This lack of support has sparked outrage among educators. “Where lies the renewed confidence?” asked one disheartened principal who did not want his name in print, reflecting the collective sentiment of many.
The mounting frustration has led some to consider abandoning NECO altogether in favour of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which is perceived to have a higher standard and better reputation. “The best bet left for us is to ignore NECO,” one educator stated emphatically. “Next year we will not bother ourselves to even convince any students to register for NECO because of this attitude.”
Compounding the issue, the source revealed the controversial role of the state coordinator, who has been accused of nominating unqualified individuals based on financial incentives. “Why should hoodlums be nominated because of their financial capabilities?” questioned another principal. The principal expressed disgust at the apparent corruption, stating, “I’m disgusted with the show of dishonesty by the NECO staff. No wonder the exam is of mean standard.”
Reports have surfaced indicating that irregularities in the recruitment process for NECO invigilators are rampant. Over 60 percent of the invigilators are said to be non-graduates or non-government teachers. This situation has further eroded trust in the examination body’s ability to conduct fair and credible exams.
Allegations have also emerged of a NECO staff member collecting significant sums of money for the purpose of securing invigilator positions. “There is a staff in the council entrusted with the schedule to collect monies for this purpose which has run into millions of naira and above,” disclosed a reliable source. It appears that anyone willing to pay 50,000 naira could secure a position as an invigilator, undermining the meritocratic principles expected in such roles.
A prominent principal has been implicated in the racket, further highlighting the depth of the corruption within the system. The involvement of high-ranking educators in these corrupt practices underscores the systemic nature of the problem.
Meanwhile, principals of most private schools are at the best of their moments as the conditions for the appointment of supervisors exclude them.
Interestingly, when our reporter had an interface with Prof. Akpan David, a varsity Don, and a stakeholder in the educational sector. He made a startling revelation questioning the interest of the parties involved. “Why are the principals crying foul over their failure to secure supervisors and why is NECO attempting to short-change them if not corruption? I think there is more to this issue than what the public knows”, he concluded.
Efforts to obtain a response from Mr. Haruna Jagaba, the state officer for Cross River State, were unsuccessful as his number was not reachable at the time of this report. The silence from NECO’s representative adds to the growing concerns about accountability and transparency within the organization.
As the scandal continues to unfold, there is a palpable sense of urgency among stakeholders to address the corruption that has plagued the NECO examination process. The future of many students depends on the credibility of these exams, and without swift and decisive action, confidence in NECO will continue to erode.
Educational authorities and policymakers are now faced with the daunting task of restoring integrity to NECO. This situation calls for immediate reforms and stringent oversight to ensure that future examinations are conducted fairly and transparently, safeguarding the educational aspirations of students across Nigeria.