The Federal Ministry of Education says it adopted computer-based testing (CBT) to select principals of Unity Schools across Nigeria as part of efforts to integrate technology into education at all levels nationwide.
The initiative, led by Professor Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, aligns with the Federal Government’s plan to integrate technology into education at all levels across the country. The CBT process, according to the Ministry, was conducted at the SASCON International School in Abuja.
The adoption of CBT for selecting principals, according to the Ministry of Education, poses a significant change in the educational sector, as it ensures a fast and fair selection process that negates any form of favouritism or nepotism. This guarantees that candidates are chosen based on merit and their ability to meet the required standard.
Ministry: Adoption of CBT promotes fairness in selection process
Hajia Binta Abdul Kadir, the Director of Senior Secondary School Education, explains that the exercise is crucial as it will help choose candidates to fill in the spaces left by principals who have completed their six-year tenure, aiming to examine the principals and determine who is fit to occupy the vacant seats.
She underscores the fairness of the CBT process as principals were being selected from all major states, and noted that 293 candidates were eligible for the test. “All of this is to ensure fairness and inclusivity,” according to her.
Udu Ali Lawrence, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), says that the examination exercise is part of the “career path policy and the professional standards for school leadership.” This means that the test will help determine if the eligible candidates meet the necessary rules and goals that principals need to follow and achieve to excel in their careers, while also ensuring they meet the standards of high leadership quality.
According to him, the examination “evaluates candidates competence in leadership management and teaching, ensuring they meet global educational standards.”
He explains further that Nigerian teachers are part of the global community of teachers and that the CBT initiative shows the Ministry’s effort to raise the quality of school leadership across the country.
The adoption of CBT for selecting principals, according to the Ministry of Education, poses a significant change in the educational sector, as it ensures a fast and fair selection process that negates any form of favouritism or nepotism. This guarantees that candidates are chosen based on merit and their ability to meet the required standard.
This is not the first time CBT has been used in the Nigerian educational system. It was introduced by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in 2013 alongside the Paper-Pencil Test and it came into full use in 2015. Since then, CBT has made it faster to access scores and results, ensuring accuracy and reliability. Also, it has helped candidates become more familiar with computer usage.
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