The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has launched a new response platform called Request Management System.
The framework is an interactive website http://request.waec.ng which functions with whatsapp lines.
At a press briefing on Tuesday in Lagos, the council’s Head of National Office in Nigeria, Patrick E. Areghan, further explained that the platform is configured to enable candidates and other stakeholders get instant response to their enquires, thereby bridging the waiting time.
He said the platform is the sub-regional exam body’s newest product, evolved to make access to vital information readily available to all stakeholders.
Areghan hinted that in no distant time WAEC would be in a position to digitally generate and issue certificates to candidates on request.
The council’s Chief Executive in Nigeria also gave update on the preparations for 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“We have invited you here today to acquaint you with the preparations we have made for the smooth and successful conduct of the WASSCE (SC) 2021 as well as to witness the official launch of our newest product – REQUEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND WAEC-CHATBOT, designed to address the immediate needs of our stakeholders.
“In accordance with the Final International Timetable, the WASSCE (SC) 2021 will take place throughout the sub-region from Monday, 16th August to Friday, 8th October, 2021. However, the examination will end in Nigeria on 30th September, 2021 – spanning a period of seven weeks.” Areghan stated.
He said this year’s exams is being held again in the month of August instead of May/June because of the distruptions caused in the nation’s academic calendar by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He promised that WAEC would ensure that physical and social distancing is maintained throughout the examination period. A, situation he explained, would require more personnel and facilities.
Areghan warned all schools, candidates, supervisors, invigilators, principals and proprietors of schools, to desist from all acts of examination malpractice.
He assured that WAEC was working hand-in-hand with the Federal Ministry of Education and the various State Ministries of Education to deliver, “as usual, a credible examination to the Nigerian child/public.”