By DAYO ADESULU
The Gambian government and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling examination malpractice, improving assessment standards and exploring computer-based examinations to strengthen the credibility of public examinations.
The commitment emerged during a high-level meeting between The Gambia’s Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, and the 14th Registrar of WAEC, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut.
The meeting focused on improving examination integrity, expanding the use of technology in education and strengthening cooperation between the ministry and WAEC to ensure that students receive fair and credible assessments.
Members of the WAEC Council and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Louis Moses Mendy, also attended the meeting.
Computer-Based Examinations Emerge as Key Reform Option
One of the major issues discussed was the possibility of introducing computer-based examinations (CBE) as part of efforts to modernise examination administration in The Gambia.
The proposed approach could help reduce examination malpractice, improve transparency and make the administration and marking of public examinations more efficient.
Furthermore, computer-based testing could support faster processing of examination results and reduce some of the challenges associated with traditional paper-based assessments.
However, the successful introduction of such a system would require adequate digital infrastructure, reliable electricity, sufficient computers and effective training for teachers, examination officials and students.
The discussions highlighted the importance of adopting modern technology to address persistent challenges in the education sector while preparing students for an increasingly digital world.
Although the meeting considered the possibility of computer-based examinations, the ministry’s statement did not announce a specific implementation date or confirm a nationwide rollout.
Minister Drammeh Calls for Technology-Driven Education
Dr Drammeh stressed the need to move beyond traditional teaching and assessment methods by integrating technology into classroom instruction and learning.
According to the ministry’s statement, the minister emphasised that modern educational approaches could help improve student performance and expand opportunities for academic success.
Technology can support interactive learning, provide teachers with additional assessment tools and help education authorities identify areas where students need additional support.
Nevertheless, the transition requires careful planning to ensure that students from different backgrounds have equal access to digital learning facilities.
In particular, schools in rural communities and areas with limited electricity or internet access may need additional investment before computer-based examinations can operate effectively.
The minister’s position reflects the broader discussion about how education systems across Africa can embrace digital innovation without widening existing inequalities.
WAEC and Gambia Seek to Strengthen Examination Integrity
Examination malpractice remains a concern for education authorities because it can undermine public confidence in qualifications and weaken the credibility of academic assessments.
When examination results fail to reflect students’ actual abilities, deserving candidates may lose opportunities while institutions struggle to distinguish genuine academic achievement from dishonest practices.
The proposed exploration of computer-based examinations represents one possible approach to addressing these concerns.
However, technology alone cannot eliminate examination malpractice. Effective monitoring, secure examination platforms, transparent procedures and strict enforcement of examination rules would remain essential.
Similarly, examination authorities would need to establish safeguards against cyberattacks, unauthorised access, technical failures and other risks associated with digital testing.
The meeting between the ministry and WAEC therefore provided an opportunity to discuss reforms that could combine technological innovation with institutional accountability.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation in building an education system that delivers credible, fair and effective public examinations.
Grade 9 and Grade 12 Examination Results Receive Attention
During the meeting, Dr Drammeh also acknowledged improvements recorded in the Grade 9 and Grade 12 examinations.
She urged education stakeholders to sustain the progress through continued collaboration, accountability and innovation.
The examinations play an important role in assessing students’ academic development and helping determine their readiness for subsequent stages of education.
Maintaining consistent examination standards is therefore essential for students, parents, teachers and educational institutions.
Furthermore, sustained improvements require attention not only to examination administration but also to classroom teaching, curriculum delivery, teacher development and access to learning materials.
The ministry’s emphasis on collaboration with WAEC suggests that both institutions recognise the importance of addressing examination challenges through coordinated action.
However, the statement did not provide specific figures detailing the improvements recorded in the examinations.
What Computer-Based Examinations Could Mean for Gambian Students
If implemented successfully, computer-based examinations could introduce several changes to the way students take public examinations in The Gambia.
First, digital testing could improve the efficiency of examination administration and reduce some logistical difficulties associated with printing, transporting and handling large volumes of examination papers.
Second, automated marking could speed up the assessment of objective questions, although essay-based and other complex responses may still require human assessment or carefully validated digital marking systems.
Third, secure digital platforms could strengthen monitoring and help examination authorities maintain better records of assessment activities.
However, these potential benefits depend on how the system is designed and implemented.
Students must receive adequate preparation before taking high-stakes digital examinations. Schools also need reliable equipment, technical support and contingency plans for power outages or system failures.
In addition, education authorities must ensure that students with disabilities can access the examinations through appropriate accommodations.
These safeguards would help ensure that computer-based testing improves examination integrity without creating new disadvantages for vulnerable students.
WAEC and the Ministry Reaffirm Commitment to Education Reform
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and WAEC reiterated their commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation.
Their shared objective is to build a more transparent, effective and responsive education system in which examination results accurately reflect students’ knowledge, preparation and academic performance.
The institutions also expressed a shared determination to pursue continuous improvement and ensure that public examinations remain credible, fair and responsive to changing educational needs.
The meeting’s discussions on computer-based examinations signal an interest in modernising assessment practices in The Gambia. However, the practical impact will depend on future policy decisions, implementation plans, funding and the readiness of schools to adopt digital testing.
For now, the emphasis remains on collaboration, accountability and the responsible use of technology to strengthen public confidence in the country’s examination system.
Source: Communications Unit, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, The Gambia.
Why This Matters
The discussions between The Gambia’s education ministry and WAEC are significant because examination credibility affects students’ educational opportunities, institutions’ admission decisions and employers’ confidence in academic qualifications.
For Nigeria and other West African countries, the development also highlights a regional conversation about the role of technology in improving examination administration.
Computer-based testing could offer greater efficiency and new safeguards against malpractice. However, its success will depend on adequate infrastructure, fair access, effective monitoring and strong institutional oversight.
Ultimately, the goal should extend beyond replacing paper with computers. It should ensure that every student’s examination result represents genuine academic achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are The Gambia and WAEC considering computer-based examinations?
The discussions focused on modernising examination administration, reducing malpractice, improving transparency and increasing the efficiency of examination delivery and marking.
2. Who attended the meeting?
The meeting brought together Gambian Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Dr Habibatou Drammeh, WAEC Registrar Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, members of the WAEC Council and Permanent Secretary Louis Moses Mendy.
3. Has The Gambia announced a date for introducing computer-based examinations?
The ministry’s statement discussed the possibility of computer-based examinations but did not announce a specific implementation date or confirm a nationwide rollout.
4. Can computer-based examinations completely eliminate examination malpractice?
No. Although digital systems can introduce additional safeguards, preventing malpractice also requires secure platforms, effective supervision, reliable procedures and strict enforcement of examination rules.
5. What challenges could affect the introduction of computer-based examinations?
Potential challenges include inadequate computers, unreliable electricity, limited internet connectivity, insufficient digital skills, cybersecurity risks and technical failures during examinations.
6. What did the minister say about Grade 9 and Grade 12 examinations?
Dr Drammeh commended the improvements recorded in the examinations and urged stakeholders to sustain the progress through collaboration, accountability and innovation.
Conclusion
The Gambia’s discussions with WAEC highlight growing interest in using technology to strengthen public examinations and improve confidence in educational qualifications.
While computer-based examinations could offer important advantages, their effectiveness will depend on careful planning, adequate resources and equal access for students across the country.
As the ministry and WAEC continue their collaboration, the central objective remains clear: to build an examination system that is fair, transparent, efficient and capable of recognising genuine academic achievement.
#WAEC #Gambia #ComputerBasedExaminations #ExamMalpractice #EducationNews #DigitalLearning #TCNEWS
