By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Examinations Board, Makurdi has expressed its commitment to eliminate all forms of examination malpractices in all schools across the state.
The Executive Secretary, Benue State Examinations Board, Hon Marcellinus Ade Ishorbo, who gave this assurance while fielding questions from Day Break in Makurdi, maintained that measures are being put in place to tackle the menace with the aim of eradicating it.
“I took over not too long ago but I held meetings with the management of this board. We have discussed much about examination malpractices, and we are in the process of putting in place measures that will curtail examination malpractices.”
Hon Ishorbo, who assured that the standard of education would not be compromised, averred that examination malpractice lowers the standard of education in any society, stressing that if it is allowed to continue here, the Governor may not realize his intention to develop education in Benue State.
The Helmsman of the board, further declared that he would keep to the standard of education to prevail and ensure that they operate in consonant with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration’s policies and programs to enable him succeed.
“We intend to work in consonant with Rev Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s agenda to develop the people, and when you want to develop the people, you have to develop them through education.
So we have to assist in developing the people through education, making sure that adequate education is provided to the people.Our own role as Examiners, we have to keep to the standard of education. We are to prevail and ensure that we are in consonant with the Governor of Benue State”
He noted that one of the challenges rocking the board is lack of accomodation, stressing that one of the priorities include completion of the permanent site, which is located at the state Secretariat.
His words: If you go round this place you will see that some of our examination materials that are done with, you see them heaped in places where they are not supposed to be. And if you come to Examinations Board, you see some staff hanging around outside just because of office space. There are not enough offices.”
The Executive Secretary disclosed that plans are underway to clear the backlog of salary arrears owed Casual Staff of the board. ” We are looking internally to see that we pay the Casual Staff what is due to them. If you are working and at the end of the month nothing is given to you to take care of your family, I think is not good enough.”
