The Kogi State Ministry of Education, on Tuesday, inaugurated an Examination Misconduct, Investigation, and Disciplinary Committee to probe the involvement of schools and individuals in the conduct of the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination within the state.
The committee, tasked with investigating the extent of involvement of schools and persons, is also charged with recommending appropriate punishments for those found guilty, in line with the provisions of the Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.
The committee, given one week to submit its report, is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Jibrin Saidu Alhaji, with Mrs. Omolayo Barikisu Onozare, Director of Administration, as the Secretary.
Other members include representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Kogi State Secondary Education Commission, State Universal Basic Education Board, West African Examination Council, and others.
Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday in Lokoja, the State Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, charged the members to work with a clear conscience and uphold fairness and justice in their duties.
Jones emphasised that the recommendations of the committee would be fully implemented by the government.
He said, “The current administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo abhors examination fraud. Examination malpractice is a cankerworm that must be nipped in the bud, as it directly affects the future of our children.”
Permanent Secretary Dr. Jibrin Saidu Alhaji, who chairs the committee, assured that the committee would conduct a thorough and fair investigation, promising to uphold the highest standards in their responsibilities.
This move comes in the wake of the West African Examination Council de-recognising some schools and blacklisting supervisors for their involvement in aiding and abetting malpractice during the WASSCE for 2024 school candidates in the state.
