Breaking: WAEC Launches Customised Question Papers to Combat Exam Malpractice Across West Africa
In a bold move to restore credibility to the West African education system, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the official launch of customised question papers for individual candidates. This groundbreaking initiative is set to transform the examination landscape and tackle the deep-rooted issue of exam malpractice.
During a strategic briefing with secondary school principals, WAEC unveiled that this new system will initially target key subjects — English Language (Papers 1 & 3), Biology 1, Mathematics 1, and Economics 1. Each student will now receive a uniquely generated set of questions, directly tied to their personalised OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet.
According to WAEC officials, supervisors must ensure strict compliance. In situations where a personalised paper is unavailable, supervisors are instructed to issue an emergency version alongside a plain OMR sheet. This strict approach ensures that loopholes exploited for cheating are eliminated.
WAEC’s innovation directly addresses critical malpractice threats such as collusion, impersonation, and question paper leaks. A senior WAEC official emphasized, “This move is a game-changer. We are sending a clear message: the era of organised cheating and leaked exam questions is over.”
The education community is rallying around this initiative. Teachers, parents, and guardians are being urged to support students during this transition. A Lagos-based teacher advised, “Now is the time to prepare our children for this new reality. The era of shortcuts is fading; students must return to hard work and dedicated study.”
Parents are also encouraged to create conducive study environments at home, ensure access to current textbooks and materials, and provide emotional support during this critical phase.
As West Africa embraces this landmark shift, WAEC’s introduction of customised question papers represents a major step toward restoring academic integrity and ensuring a fairer future for all candidates.
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Salahdeen HI is a seasoned e-learning, education, and ICT professional with years of experience driving innovation in the education sector. He is the founder of Edunaija, one of Nigeria’s leading education blogs, where he shares insights, resources, and updates to support students and educators alike. Beyond his work in education technology, Salahdeen is also a passionate content creator and blogger, using digital platforms to inform, empower, and inspire. His professional journey includes notable roles such as working in the Lagos State Governor’s Office, focusing on Systems Support and Computer Education across Education Districts. Through Edunaija and his digital content, Salahdeen is committed to leveraging technology to transform education in Nigeria.