Nigerian teachers have strongly advised the Federal Government against rushing into a complete shift to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for national examinations, saying the country is not yet prepared for such a move.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other education stakeholders issued the warning following reports that the government is considering making CBT compulsory for major examinations like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB in the coming years.

Major Concerns Raised

Teachers cited several challenges that still need to be addressed before a full transition can succeed. These include:

• Poor electricity supply in many parts of the country
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• Inadequate computer facilities in schools, especially in rural areas
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• Lack of proper training for both teachers and students
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• High cost of acquiring and maintaining ICT infrastructure
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Many teachers argued that while CBT has benefits such as faster result release and reduced examination malpractice, forcing it on the system now would put students in disadvantaged areas at a serious disadvantage.

A senior NUT official said, “We support technology in education, but we must be realistic. You cannot run a successful CBT system in places where students have never seen computers or where there is no steady power supply.”

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has gradually increased the use of CBT for UTME in recent years. However, many secondary school students, especially in public schools, still write paper-based examinations for WAEC and NECO.

Education experts say a full transition requires massive investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and provision of functional computers across all schools.

Parents and students have also expressed mixed reactions. While some support the idea of modernising examinations, others fear that children in rural communities may suffer.

The Federal Ministry of Education is yet to issue an official response to the teachers’ position. However, sources say the government is studying various models and may consider a gradual approach instead of a sudden full shift.

  As Nigeria pushes to improve its education system, stakeholders agree that technology must play a bigger role. However, teachers insist that adequate preparation must come first to avoid creating more problems for millions of Nigerian students.