THE IMPACT OF INCREASED SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL EXAMINATION BODIES IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This project focused on the impact of increase senior secondary school examination bodies in Nigeria. The main aim is to investigate into the aairs of WAEC, NECO and NABTEB examination bodies. In this research work, the questionnaire was the instrument adopted as a means of data collection from the students. For the purpose of this research, twenty questions were raised to find out the impact of increase of senior secondary school examination bodies. Simple percentage were used to analyse the data, it was discovered that, although the school leaving examinations conducted by WAEC, NECO and NABTEB are all “certification” intended by the government but the demand for them is basically for their functions as necessary criteria for university admission.

In chapter one, the research made was that, the demand for secondary school leaving certificates is mainly for tertiary school admissions and not for more certification of six years of secondary school achievement. And also, there is a competition for students among NECO, WAEC and NABTEB, which may lead to compromise of standard and mode of operation on the part of the individual in abid to out do the other. The literature review which is chapter two based on the meaning of examination, school leaving examination concept and purpose concept, higher education, the three examination bodies {WAEC, NECO and NABTEB} etc. chapter three is based on the research design. Chapter four is on presentation and analysis of data and chapter five covers summary, conclusion, recommendation and suggestions for further research.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The West African Examination Council {WAEC} was established in 1952. The birth of the council can be traced another four years before to 1948, when the British colonial administrations discuss with the West African. Department of education the necessity for examination suited to the needs of West African. Following this was a sequence of events, which led to the eventual establishment of WAEC. For nearly thirty years, the council monopolize the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria, till 1977 when it was found wanting and the conclusion has that it was over loaded with responsibility. A number of commissioner committees and panels were set up which led to shedding WAEC of some of the examination it conducts. Among the examination boards resulting from this modifications of the control and conduct of public examinations include the National Examination Council (NECO) and the national business and technical examination board (NABTEB). According to Ojerinde (2000) said that NECO has been given the responsibility to conduct the senior secondary certificate examination (SSCE) along side WAEC for May/June school candidates. While NABTEB conducts the National Technical Certificate (NCT) and National Business Certificate (NBC) Examination for school and private candidates. The researcher observed this development and recognized that each of these examinations led to the award of certificate which functions as basic requirement for admission into tertiary institutions.

On recognition of this fact and consideration of the demand for certificate to serve for tertiary institution admission requirement the researcher observed that there would be competition among these three-examination board. Also, Onofume O. S. (1993) said that there is competition over the available students seeking school leaving certificate for admission into tertiary institution. The factor really facing this competitiveness is the fact that there are limited resources (money) on the part of the potential candidates, creating the necessity of choice. According to Olniyan A. B. (1986) observed that this involvement of choice leads to competitiveness which could be seen from several advantageous points but may be open to several disadvantages. The WAEC had many problems and corruption ate deep into its management. These problems are bound to arise in the other examination bodies and with this competition; the researcher foresees the possibility of further determination rather than improvement or compromise of standards disguised as innovation to meet the needs of the nation. It is against the backup of the above and to fully investigate the possibility of compromise of standard of operation of these examination bodies that the researcher has undertaken the study.