The Taraba State Government has warned principals, invigilators and supervisors against any form of examination malpractice during the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
The Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, gave the warning during a sensitization meeting organized for examination officials ahead of the conduct of the 2026 WASSCE in the state.
The meeting, which took place at the Government Technical and Training School in Jalingo on Saturday, brought together principals, invigilators and supervisors from Lau, Karim Lamido, Jalingo and Ardo-Kola Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the event, the commissioner stressed the need for discipline, professionalism and honesty in handling the examination process.
She said the state government would not tolerate any act capable of damaging the credibility of examinations in Taraba State.
According to her, all officials involved in the conduct of the examination must strictly follow the rules and guidelines set by the West African Examinations Council.
Dr. Godwin urged school administrators and examination officers to work together to ensure a malpractice-free exercise across the state.
“Taraba State must continue to stand out in academic excellence through hard work and credibility. We must collectively ensure zero malpractice during the conduct of WAEC examinations,” she said.
The commissioner explained that the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas was committed to improving the quality of education and restoring public confidence in the school system.
She noted that examination malpractice weakens the value of certificates and affects the future of students who are expected to compete fairly based on merit.
According to her, students should be encouraged to study hard and rely on their knowledge rather than engage in cheating during examinations.
She warned that any principal, invigilator or supervisor found aiding malpractice would face sanctions in line with the rules guiding public examinations.
Education stakeholders at the meeting were also reminded of their responsibility to maintain order and ensure proper monitoring during the examination period.
Officials of the West African Examinations Council at the event also called for cooperation from schools and communities to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.
The WAEC Branch Controller in Taraba State commended Governor Agbu Kefas for what he described as strong support for education in the state.
According to him, the governor recently approved and cleared all 2026 WAEC-related fees for students in public schools across the state.
He said the decision had reduced financial pressure on many parents and guardians struggling with the rising cost of education.
The branch controller described the move as a major step toward improving access to education and increasing student participation in external examinations.
He further stated that Governor Kefas was the first governor in Taraba State to fully settle WAEC-related fees for students.
According to him, the governor had also supported the WAEC office in the state by donating a utility vehicle and providing other assistance to improve the council’s operations.
The official noted that the support had helped examination officials carry out their duties more effectively.
The sensitization program formed part of efforts by WAEC and the Taraba State Government to reduce cases of malpractice and improve the standard of examinations in the state.
Examination malpractice has remained a major concern in Nigeria’s education sector for many years.
Common forms of malpractice include impersonation, copying answers, bringing unauthorised materials into examination halls and collusion between students and officials.
In recent years, WAEC and other examination bodies have introduced stricter measures to curb malpractice, including tighter supervision, the use of technology and tougher penalties for offenders.
Several schools across the country have in the past been blacklisted for involvement in examination fraud, while some officials and students have faced prosecution.
Stakeholders say the pressure on students to pass examinations at all costs, poor preparation and weak monitoring systems are among the major causes of malpractice in schools.
Some parents have also been accused of encouraging dishonest practices by seeking special assistance for their children during examinations.
Educational authorities have continued to emphasize the need for moral values, proper teaching and improved learning conditions to reduce dependence on cheating.
In Taraba State, the government has recently introduced reforms aimed at improving standards in public schools.
Governor Agbu Kefas has repeatedly declared education a top priority of his administration, promising to make learning more accessible and improve school infrastructure.
His government had earlier announced free education policies for certain levels of schooling as part of efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.
Many families in rural communities often struggle to pay examination fees, forcing some students to miss external examinations despite completing their studies.
Education advocates believe such support could help improve literacy levels and increase opportunities for young people in the state.
Participants at the sensitization meeting were also advised to maintain fairness and avoid favouritism during the examination period.
Principals and supervisors were reminded that their conduct would directly affect the credibility of the examination and the image of the state.
Some participants reportedly welcomed the sensitization program, describing it as timely ahead of the commencement of the 2026 WASSCE.
They pledged to support efforts aimed at ensuring smooth and credible examinations across all schools in the state.