The Delta State Government (DTSG) has commended the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for the effective conduct of examination and proper assessment of students.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa gave the commendations during a courtesy visit by members of the Nigeria National Committe (NNC) of the West African Examinations Council for its 60th Meeting in Asaba.
Okowa, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Patrick Ukah, said the State Government understood the vital role WAEC played in the development of a child.
“The Governor is a lover of education. If you interact with the Commissioner for Education, you will see the giant strides the government has taken in education in Delta State.
“I am sure your coming to the state is not just to discuss the subject matter but you see the level of knowledge we have here, we do not lack in giving information as it concerns national bodies,” he said.
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof Chike Edoziem, said special attention should be paid to the quality of secondary schools as well as the educational standards.
“I had the opportunity to be worried about the quality of secondary education in Nigeria 20 years ago while i was a Professor in the United States.
“There was an issue about continual education of Nigerian students in the American universities based on their WAEC, that the quality of performance of students is low.
“I advised that I believe that Nigerian students may not be intellectually inferior to any race in the world.
“I advised they should continue admitting Nigerians, if possible give them special attention.
“Few years later, the report was that they perform badly in the first year but subsequently they become very good,” he said.
Commissioner for Secondary Education in the State, Mrs Rose Ezewu, said the State Government had continued to prioritise the education system, adding that WAEC had proven to be reliable in the conduct of its examinations.
She pledged the Delta State government’s support for the council through the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Augustine Oghoro, said WAEC was a foremost examination body saddled with the responsibility of providing quality and reliable educational assessment.
Oghoro said certificates issued by the council was equivalent to those issued internationally, adding that the council had formidable structures that ensured smooth conduct of its examination.
“The council is a major contributor to regional integration and revival of values and we commend the council for its proposed merit award for some Secondary schools in Delta State”.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Committee Meeting of WAEC, Mrs Binta Abdulkadir, said they were in the state for the 60th Meeting of the Nigerian National Committee Meeting of the council .
Abdulkadir, also the Director of Secondary School Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, commended Delta State for its achievements in the education system, saying that the state had performed creditably.
“WAEC is an important assessment body that is committed to ensuring the realisation of its mandates.
“WAEC carries out its functions with utmost integrity and the council is exceptional in assessing Nigerian child.
On his part, the Director of Examination and Standard, Mr Sunday Egomagwuna, said the meeting would have multiplier effect on the conduct of examinations in the state.
He lauded stakeholders for the contributions to the growth of the sector.