… as ERC lntensifies Raising SSCE Examination Standards
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended the ongoing education reforms initiated by the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, which includes the Education Resource Centre (ERC) intensifies raising the standard of the Senior Secondary School Certificate ( SSC).
ERC has intensified monitoring of the ongoing Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) Mock Examination in Mathematics.
This followed an inspection tour of selected schools by the Director of ERC, Dr. Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, alongside the Director of the Department of Quality Assurance, Hajia Titilayo Hajara Alayande, as part of efforts to ensure strict compliance with examination standards and uphold a zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice.
Speaking during the monitoring exercise, the Director of Royal Family Academy, Wuye, Ms. Olubunmi Ayeni, described the ERC Mock Examination as a significant initiative that has helped schools effectively evaluate students’ readiness for external examinations.
“The mock examination has been very helpful to us since its inception. That is why we participate every year. The questions are of WAEC standard, and ERC is doing an impressive job,” she said.
According to her, the school uses the results of the mock examination to carefully analyze students’ strengths and weaknesses, enabling teachers to intensify academic support and align teaching with expected standards.
She added that as a law-abiding institution, the school remains committed to complying with government policies and directives while urging other private schools to participate in the ERC initiative aimed at raising the standard of examinations across the FCT schools.
Earlier, the Director of ERC, Dr. Abdulrahim, explained that monitoring the mock examination forms part of the Centre’s mandate to ensure that examinations are conducted in conducive environments, with properly vetted question papers that meet approved academic standards.
She noted that the increasing number of private schools participating in the exercise reflects the credibility and acceptance of the ERC mock examinations, while commending the orderly conduct observed in the schools visited.
Dr. Abdulrahim further observed that the ongoing renovation of school facilities by the FCT Minister has significantly improved the learning environment, noting that students now sit for examinations in more comfortable and conducive halls.
In her remarks, the Director of the Department of Quality Assurance, Hajia Alayande, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of examinations in schools across the territory..
She commended the ERC Director and her team for sustaining a credible mock examination process that prepares students effectively to write the WAEC and NECO examinations.
Alayande also expressed satisfaction with the facilities provided under the leadership of the minister and praised teachers for their dedication, noting that students demonstrated confidence and seriousness throughout the exercise.
Furthermore, principals of the various schools visited described the ERC Mock Examination as a reliable benchmark for measuring students’ readiness for external examinations.
They noted that the exercise was characterized by the timely distribution of question papers, hitch-free conduct, and conducive examination environments.
The principals also appreciated the FCT Minister for the ongoing renovation of schools and assured the FCT Administration of their commitment to maintaining the upgraded facilities.
Students who spoke during the exercise expressed confidence in their preparedness, attributing their readiness to extra lessons organized by their teachers as well as personal study efforts.
They also pledged to shun examination malpractice and remain focused on achieving academic excellence.
Schools visited during the monitoring exercise included Government Science Technical College, Area 3; Government Secondary School, Garki; Government Science Secondary School, Maitama; and Royal Family Academy, Wuye, among others.
The ongoing monitoring exercise underscores the commitment of the FCT Administration to strengthening academic standards and ensuring that students are adequately prepared to excel in their external examinations.
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