FG, JAMB, WAEC, Others Reject Creation Of Agency To Regulate Exam Bodies

The Ministry of Education, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, the West African Examination Council and other stakeholders Monday rejected proposed legislation for establishment of an agency to regulate examination bodies.

They spoke in Abuja at a public hearing on a bill to establish the National Examination Management Commission, organised by the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Kabir Barkiya (APC, Katsina).

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, described the bill as undesirable, retrogressive and a waste of public funds.

He said the proposed legislation would undermine the role of the ministry in supervising examination bodies.

Adamu, represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, David Gende, said creating a new agency to regulate examination bodies would create administrative bottlenecks that would result in reckless spending by the federal government.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyode, said establishing a new agency for examination bodies would cause more confusion as it would create duplication of duties.

Also, Patrick Arena, the head of WAEC Nigeria Office, described the proposed law as counter-productive as all examining bodies have governing boards.

The National Examination Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board also kicked against the bill.