- An official of WAEC has revealed that most blind students collude to pass the examinations
- Frances Iweha-Onukwu revealed that this was because of poor preparation
- Mrs Iweha-Onukwu urged the Nigerian government to improve policies in relation to education
Blind student writing an exam
According to an official of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), among blind candidates, one of the most common examination malpractice was collusion.
Frances Iweha-Onukwu, who is the head of test administration of WAEC in Nigeria, revealed this in a press interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), on Wednesday, December 28, in Lagos.
Mrs Iweha-Onukwu explaining the reasons why cheating by collusion was rampant among the blind students,, said it could be that the candidates were usually not well equipped individually for the examinations.
She described the performance of the students as ‘not too wonderful performance’, rising from the fact that they were poorly equipped.
“We have discovered that there is usually high incidence of collusion among blind candidates during examinations.
“That is why their performance has not really been anything wonderful.
“Our society is such that there have not been adequate and conscious efforts to take care of the challenged.
“There have not been enough trained personnel to guide blind candidates before being exposed to major external examination,” she said.
Speaking on the need for urgent policy reviews in education, the WAEC official said a situation where a teacher who studied Special Education in higher institution is employed to cater for the needs of physically challenged persons with a whole array of needs, was worrisome.
Voicing her confusion, she said: “I cannot explain how one teacher, who studied special education can be given the singular task of meeting the academic needs of the deaf, dumb, the blind and all others.
“Meanwhile, there are candidates who need personalize attention on one-on-one basis.
“If we intend to give the best and all-inclusive education, Federal Government must employ more trained teachers in special education to take care of the different defects among the physically challenged students.
“There must also be consciousness policy formulation that will take care of these persons.
“This is because there is ability in disability. These persons can do better if adequate care is given."
Meanwhile, in a press conference held in Abuja, the examination body said 176,621 candidates registered for the exam, while 172,699 candidates sat the examination.
According to WAEC, 66,497 candidates, representing 38.50%, obtained credits in five (5) subjects and above, including English language and mathematics.
