WAEC goes digital

The sub-regional examination body, called the West African Examination Council which comprises five English-speaking countries, namely the Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sirre Leone recently launched the Gambia National Office corporate website, online registration and result checker (DIRECT).

Addressing the gathering at a ceremony held at its national head office in Banjul, the acting Head of the National Office in The Gambia, Mr. Felox U Okoroafor said the initiative is part of an attempt to improve on their service delivery system.

He said the system stimulates rapid development and enhances community involvement in education, adding that the launch by the Banjul office goes to further prove that WAEC's responsibilities extend beyond just preparing candidates for examinations, but also guides students towards an enviable successful outing.

"It exposes them to lOT basic skills and reduces all the stress involved in the registration of candidates for WAEC examinations and the processing of results," Okoroafor said.

According to him, the council is very much aware of the "mad chase for paper qualification," which invariably leads to the adoption of fair and foul means for which WAEC has been unjustly blamed. He said WAEC will continue researching on the best method of accessing candidates, in addition to being attentive and responsive to all problems and changes facing society.

"It is worth noting that the West African Examinations Council has already proved itself capable of adapting to changes in its research experiences on lOT, which will continue to benefit The Gambia and other member countries," he added.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Babucarr Bouye said the event marked another milestone in the history of WAEC in The Gambia, in its quest for excellence in education.

"In August 2004, the Banjul office of WAEC signed an agreement with Fleet Technologies Limited for the provision of Direct Access Online Information Services for a period of ten years," he said

The programme, PS Boye noted, entails the provision of a functional system with which Pre-Tertiary Students can register for most of the examinations administered by the council.

"It will also serve as additional source of revenue generation for WAEC, business centres and all internet operators in The Gambia. It is a basic fact that information and technology has touched almost every aspect of our lives in a bid to improve and provide a more effective way of doing things. Consequently, education has not been left out in this development," PS Boye stated.

For his part, Kunle Akinniran, a representative of FLEET Technology Ltd gave a detailed background of his institution, which he stated, is the leading provider of Internet-based payment and cash management solutions for educational bodies and professional institutes in Nigeria and Ghana.

"Our service delivery has in the last few years extended beyond the borders of Nigeria to neighbouring West African countries, including Ghana and Sierra Leone. Our experience in the online business precedes us and we are delighted and exited to be in The Gambia" he concluded.