By Alieu Amara Suwu
Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) few days ago has disclosed on his personal Facebook page that National Identification Number (NIN) will be an entry requirement into the West Africa Secondary School Education (WASSCE) starting next year.
Sengeh further confirmed this in an interview held with one of the local radio stations. On his page, he wrote that most candidates taking the exam are 18 years; therefore they have a unique opportunity to get a NIN, to avoid being stopped from taking the WASSCE.
He wrote: ‘It will be a requirement for WASSCE entries this year in our fight to fight malpractices. Don’t say you didn’t know.’
On air, he said National Identification Number as criteria for all examinations in their country will tackle malpractices such as impersonation and promote transparency, adding that it will further enhance confidence in the nation’s examination system. He disclaimed that this has nothing to do with registration or voting, but for the step to tackle malpractices and distinguishing between pupils and workers (mostly government workers) who are in the habit of taking Government WASSCE when they can actually pay for private WASSCE.
He said this has been going on and Government is paying for those who are not actually the beneficiaries of the Free Quality Education, therefore, is costing them to pay a huge amount for pupils taking WASSCE.
The Minister also noted that they have asked schools to submit a list and information of prospective WASSCE candidates – who are now in SSS 2 and those who are in SSS 3. He added that the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has made provision for birth registration systems for information such as NIN.
Nasiru Sankoh, a pupil, spoke to Observer that it will be good the moment WASSCE and all other educational stakeholders meet and decide to use NIN, that means from that period up to the time someone gets any certificate, NIN will be attached to him or her for life.
It is good to note that for those categories of persons under age 16 the system will tie their enrollment because their biometric is not yet fully formed with the identity of their parents or guardians. It is only that when you fully reach 16 years, you come back and your finger prints are taken.
