At visit to Buea: Minister Nalova Lyonga hails GCE Board for hitch-free exams.

During her stay in Buea, the minister visited some centres in the Fako Division where candidates are taking the exams.

She was welcomed at the GCE Board by the Head of the Transition Management Board, Ndi Bernadette. This was in the presence of the Board Chair of the institution, Prof Leke Tambo. Other board members and staff of the institution were also in attendance.

The visit enabled the minister to acquaint herself with the preparations at the institution to ensure effective and swift correction of the examination which is unfolding nationwide.

The visit also enabled her to abreast herself with equipment procured by the board for the smooth correction of examination scripts at the head office of the board.

The machines, , it was revealed, are crucial in correcting paper one scripts, usually multiple choice questions. 

She visited the Baptist High School Buea where some students with special needs including those with visual impairments were writing the exams. 

After examining the equipment at the centre, she saluted the staff for their commitment.

Speaking to the press after visiting some accommodation centres, Minister Nalova Lyonga saluted the candidates for their enthusiasm.

“This year is peculiar because all those who are taking the exams are extremely enthusiastic, and very present except for a few for reasons above their control.  So, we are particularly proud of what is going on,” the minister said.

After supervising the schools in all the different corners of Cameroon this week, Professor Nalova Lyonga said everything was unfolding smoothly in the country. 

In this light, she has applauded the interim team leading the GCE Board for their dedication to ensuring that the examinations unfold without hitches

Minister Nalova Lyonga also added that she was proud of the different accommodation centres and candidates as well as the GCE Board for respecting all the guidelines concerning spacing between students, and the clean school philosophy observed on the campuses.

The visit follows the start of the end-of-course examinations across the national triangle. Some 196,000 candidates at the both the GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels are taking the exams in 443 accommodation centres.

The candidates are writing the exams session within a climate of increased scrutiny to ensure no cheating. 

This involves the installation of CCTV surveillance cameras in most examination centres. Authorities say, the move is part of efforts to reduce the timespan invigilators must submit scripts after the exams and reducing the ratio of candidates to invigilators from 35 students per invigilator to 30. 

The number of candidates per supervisor is reduced from 500 to 300.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No3127 of Friday May 31, 2024