Last updated on January 13th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
The West Africa Examinations Council has disclosed that 80, 000 qualified teachers were engaged to mark the examination answer booklets of candidates in the just concluded 2020 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).
The examination body also revealed that over 1.5 million candidates sat for the examination.
The Head, WAEC National Office in Nigeria, Areghan Patrick, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the 2021 budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services.
How much did WAEC spend on 2020 exam?
Patrick said WAEC spent over N1.5 billion to conduct the 2020 exams, stating that the organisation is not a revenue-generating body but an assessment body that collects money to conduct examinations for students.
Clarifying how much WAEC generated, he said that each candidate paid N13, 900 which he said doesn’t belong to WAEC, but as examination fee and only registration and administration fees came to the council’s coffers.
WAEC runs on Deficit
He stated that WAEC was currently having a deficit of N7 billion, saying the council was not fully funded, pleading to National Assembly to quickly approve and release 2020 budget.
WAEC should emulate JAMB in revenue generation – Lawmaker
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Committee on Basic Education and Services, Julius Ihonvbere, has advised the WAEC to emulate Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in generating revenue for itself in order to reduce over-reliance on the budget of the government.
The lawmaker commended the council for its service to the nation, reiterated the committee’s support for the council.
In May 2020, JAMB made an interim remittance of N3.5 billion to the federation account
