Waec’s passage on CBT is a significant step for the future, of Idris …

The Council of West Africa exams (WaEC) has once again shown that it is not only a custodian of academic standards, but also a forward -looking institute committed to modernizing education in West Africa. His recent announcement that on 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (Wassce) will be completely based on computers is a bold and visionary step that deserves honors.

For decades, Waec has set the reference point for credibility, transparency and rigor in the exams. Now, embracing computer -based tests (CBT), the body is reporting its willingness to align with the best global practices in the evaluation, also preparing African students for digital realities of the 21st century. In a world where education and work are increasingly guided by technology, Waec’s transition is not only timely, it is necessary.

The plan to conduct all the objective exams completely online, with three articles written in one day, promises efficiency and reduced risks of negligence. The documents of essay and theory, to be projecting in the examination rooms without the distribution of documents of physical questions, will significantly reduce losses and logistical chokes. Candidates will simply receive response brochures, while the questions are displayed safely. This model, already in practice in advanced economies, places of Waec among global leaders in the delivery of safe evaluation.

The emphasis on supervision teachers in accordance with the IT for practical exams also reflects Waec’s determination to build digital competence even among educators. The schools that host these exams will be responsible for the supply of the necessary materials, guaranteeing the liability and liability shared. This approach strengthens the ecosystem of the collaboration between Waec, schools and teachers, while promoting IT competence on the whole Council.

Critically, Waec stressed that no school is commissioned to buy computers to allow its candidates to take the exams. This underlines a profound sense of inclusiveness, each student, regardless of the resources of their school, will have the opportunity to participate. The designated centers will host candidates and schools that offer volunteers as centers will even receive compensation from Waec. By setting a clear requirement of at least 50 functional computers for host centers, Waec guarantees reliability and scalability without placing undue financial charges in schools.

Waec also made a strategic appeal to schools, in particular in the State Lekki, Ajah and Epe of the State of Lagos, to collaborate with it in hosting the exams. This call reflects both the demand for multiple centers in rapid growth urban areas and the spirit of collaboration that will be crucial for the success of this transition. The schools that takes this opportunity will not only support national progress, but also position themselves as a leader in educational innovation.

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Perhaps the deepest implication of this move is its impact on the students themselves. By writing their exams on computers, students are not only tested, but are prepared. They are familiar with the tools that will define their academic travel, their workplace and their future. In essence, Waec is transforming the Wassce into a door for digital literacy, filling the gap between traditional education and the modern world.

Critics can raise concerns about infrastructure and readiness, but Waec has shown a pragmatic approach, providing for provisions to ensure that the exams are valid for all candidates, regardless of the immediate preparation of a school. This is not a reckless leap, but a step with care calibrated in the future.

In embracing computer -based tests, Waec took a position: the educational systems of Africa must not be blocked in the past. Instead, they must be bold enough to innovate, adapt and drive. The Wassce of 2026 will mark not only a milestone of the exam but a historic turning point in the evolution of education in West Africa. Waec is not simply moving with the times, but is moving in front of them.

Waec’s decision to completely digitize the Wasce is more than an administrative reform; It is a redefinition of how the exams can model the future of education in Africa. Giving priority to safety, efficiency, inclusion and technological competence, the Council is building an ecosystem that benefits not only students, but schools, teachers and companies in general. This far -sighted model guarantees that the examination process reflects the digital realities that students will meet beyond the class, making the exit a preparation tool as much as the evaluation.

In many ways, the Wassce of 2026 will be a point of reference, not only for Waec but for the entire region. It reports to the world that West Africa is ready to embrace innovation and invest in the skills that its young people will need to thrive in a global competitive economy and guided by technology. The path that Waec has chosen is ambitious, but it is also necessary and, with the collaboration and commitment by all interested parties, promises to establish a new standard for educational excellence in Africa.

• Usman lives in Abuja.

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