NECO SSSCE marking at Ogbomoso High School marking centre - A review

NECO SSSCE marking at Ogbomoso High School marking centre – A review

Fatai ADEWUYI

That NECO has broken the monopoly of WAEC as regards conduct of Senior Secondary Schools Examinations (SSSCE) in Nigeria is laudable and commendable. Precisely, the marking was brought to Ogbomoso in 2000 according to historical evidence. Formerly, two centers were held, Ori Oke High school and Ogbomoso High School. The exercise is ongoing now at only one center, Ogbomoso High School (17th August to 27th August, 2025), which is logistically convenient. However, there is the need to examine some anomalies that are going on at the center so that NECO officials at the center may become aware for possible corrections when they get back to their headquarters. I am reporting as an examiner myself and a writer that mirrors the society. Firstly, Ogbomoso has a record of being a town that loves education and business, hard working people as evident in the many aged, young and vibrant educated persons participating in the marking exercise, and are noted for having excellent marking records in both NECO and WAEC.

Despite, the most reported cases among examiners is issue of appointments of team leaders. Eg 11, many on Eg 1 cadre use this to settle old scores or victimize innocent examiners. Then, there is the need also to consider age, as some are too old for this exercise, someone above seventy years is supposed to be resting at home. Agreed, some use the centre to interact with colleagues, and keep the brain at work, but some of the old markers tend towards sadism, and are egocentric. Not to condemn all, for some are still versatile and level headed. Marking exercise is crucial in examination as it determines the future of the candidates and as such, it shouldn’t be taken with levity.

Also, the staff of NECO should be advised to be civil in dealing with examiners as many are senior officials and senior to them. Then, they should carry the center coordinators along in whatever issues Eg1 may bring to them, especially subjects officials.

Meanwhile we thank NECO for the upward increase in marking fees by 40 percent but they should pay on-time like WAEC does. They should emulate WAEC in good things like recent WAEC computerization of records of marks instead of manual recording. All these add to quality delivery and credibility of their results.

Above all, I congratulate NECO for living up to expectations, at least breaking the monopoly is worth appreciating.

Long live NECO! Long lives examiners! Long live Nigeria!

Alhaji Adewuyi is CEO, Atmecs. 08130851574.