Cross River State Takes Lead in Educational Development with Computer-Based Testing Examinations Workshop (CBT)

 

The Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI), Biase, Cross River State, has successfully organized a 2-day workshop on the use of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) mode in writing Certificate Examinations. The workshop, held on February 27-28, 2025, brought together secondary school examination officers from across the state. Some selected Teachers, Desk Officers for WAEC and NECO within CRS were also present with a total of one-hundred and fifty (150) participants.

Prof. Onyeka Iwuchukwu, National Open University, Calabar and Dr. Stephen Egidi from Klinnicaps Academy, Okuku, Yala LGA, CRS were the resource persons who did justice to the subject matter. 

In his welcome address, The Director-General, TCTI, Biase, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja emphasized the importance of CBT in modern education, highlighting its ability to cover a wide range of subject matter and topics. He noted that most students lack basic fundamental knowledge in understanding the CBT mode, and the workshop aimed to bridge this gap.

Prof. Adedoja commended Cross River State Government for being a trailblazer in educational development and appealed to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to conduct a nationwide CBT mock examination for interested secondary schools. He also expressed concern over the fate of rural areas regarding the transition to computer-based test examinations for schools.

The Director-General further revealed plans to collaborate with WAEC to address the challenges posed by the CBT examination to the blind, ensuring their successful participation. He stated that many blind persons were ready to take the CBT examination, citing the example of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, where an average of 300 blind persons sit for the examination yearly.

Participants, including Ugbe Bridget from Community Secondary School, Bebuagon, and Comrade Isa Tony Ekpong from Government Secondary School, Akim, praised the workshop and the management of TCTI, stating that the training workshop had a significant impact on their understanding of CBT examinations. Mr. Francis Odok, representing the central Senatorial district, also commended the training, describing it as "great" and "impactful."

The workshop was concluded with practical sessions and the issuance of certificates of participation. The participants were thankful to the management of TCTI for the serene environment and well-organized training which exposed them to the level of practicality. 

While closing the event, Mrs. Mary Omaji, Deputy Director General of TCTI noted that the workshop is a sensitization training, a proactive way of preparing Cross River State Teachers and Students ahead of the implementation of the proposed transition of WAEC to Computer Based Test (CBT); a transition from analogue to digital system of examination, in the likeness of or close to what Jamb is doing. For her TCTI Will always and continuously be proactive interms of educational development.