May 16, (THEWILL) – The Ebonyi State Government has announced plans to introduce Computer-Based Test (CBT) training in secondary schools across the state to adequately prepare students for upcoming computerised examinations.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Professor Paul Awo Nwobasi, made this known during an interview with journalists in Abakaliki. He said the initiative was in response to the recent announcement by WAEC and NECO on plans to adopt CBT for their examinations.
Nwobasi noted that the training would primarily target Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students, especially those preparing for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to him, one of the key causes of mass failure in CBT-based examinations like UTME is the lack of digital literacy among students, despite the widespread use of smartphones.
“Doing well in your SSCE builds confidence for future examinations like JAMB,” he said. “But the major difference is that while SSCE is handwritten and includes practicals, JAMB is computer-based. Many students struggle because they lack basic computer skills, such as logging in, keyboarding, or navigating the exam interface.”
The commissioner stressed that simply owning a smartphone does not translate to proficiency in using a computer, especially under exam conditions.
He added that the decision to commence CBT training has become even more urgent following WAEC’s declaration that from 2026, computer-based examinations will be implemented.
“That’s our next target. We want to start training students in senior secondary school on digital literacy. If we begin now, by the time they sit for JAMB or any CBT-based exam, they will perform better,” he stated.
Nwobasi also commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for his continued investment in the state’s education sector, describing the support as a major enabler of reforms.
“Our governor has given us the necessary support to push these initiatives. Environment matters, and he has provided one that allows us to thrive,” he said.
According to the commissioner, training students on CBT won’t require massive resources, just coordination and consistency.
“You can gather a group of SS3 students in a school and teach them the basics—how to log in, log out, and navigate the CBT platform. Within two weeks, they will grasp it. These young ones are fast learners when it comes to technology,” he added.
He concluded by emphasising that with basic exposure, the state’s students can easily adapt to digital examination systems.
“It’s not magic. They’re interested, curious, and very capable. What many adults struggle to understand on a smart TV, a three-year-old can figure out. That’s the digital generation we’re working with,” he said.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
