Oyo plans 60,000 laptops for schools ahead of WAEC CBT rollout

The Oyo State Government has announced plans to procure more than 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools as part of preparations for the West African Examinations Council’s transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT).

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by WAEC’s Zonal Coordinator and Deputy Registrar, Mr. Waheed Amode, and his management team to the ministry’s headquarters in Ibadan.

Olayiwola said Governor Seyi Makinde has directed officials to work out the cost implications of acquiring the laptops to ensure the state is fully prepared for the gradual shift from pen-and-paper examinations to digital testing, in line with the Federal Government’s directive.

He praised WAEC for steps taken to address challenges recorded during the 2025 examinations and pledged the ministry’s continued collaboration to curb examination malpractice and protect school infrastructure from vandalism.

Speaking earlier, Amode said the visit was to thank the state government for its consistent support and partnership with WAEC, describing the ministry as a critical stakeholder in the council’s operations.

He noted that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examinations closed on February 2, adding that the exams would be conducted using a mix of CBT and pen-and-paper formats depending on each school’s readiness.

Schools interested in fully adopting CBT, he said, must formally indicate their interest.

Amode also cautioned candidates against bringing mobile phones into examination halls, warning that violations could attract severe sanctions, including the cancellation of results for an entire school.

Meanwhile, the commissioner urged parents, guardians and teachers to work more closely to tackle declining discipline and moral standards among students.

He stressed that stronger cooperation between homes and schools is key to raising responsible and value-driven learners.

Also speaking, leader of the National Education Reform Movement, Adewumi Abass, highlighted the need for improved parent–teacher synergy and warned that rising examination malpractice threatens the education system.

He recommended the resource book Parenting for Excellence as a guide to strengthening standards.