Northern Youths Reject WAEC CBT Exams, Give Resons

The potential shift towards Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC exams has caused concern among Northern Youths, particularly the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF). 

They have requested for the cancellation of these plans, fearing widespread failure in rural areas due to limited computer skills.

WAEC’s recent decision to replace paper-and-pencil tests with CBT was justified as following “global best practices.”

However, AYCF’s National President, Yerima Shettima, suggested an alternative: making CBT optional.

This would empower students to choose the format they are most comfortable with for demonstrating their knowledge.

AYCF conducted research in states like Zamfara, Jigawa, and Taraba, revealing that public schools with inadequate computer education witnessed lower pass rates with CBT implementation.

Shettima highlighted the struggles faced by underprivileged students during CBT-based exams, citing systemic issues like insufficient facilities, network failures, and a lack of proper

computer skills.