The Nasarawa State Government has threatened to sanction 20 principals for their roles leading to the suspension of 20 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) centres.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the state, Fatu Sabo, gave the warning on Tuesday in Keffi Local Government Area (LGA).
Ms Sabo was speaking at a meeting with principals from Nasarawa West Senatorial district.
According to her, the action of these principals and some of their staff is considered an attempt to tarnish the image of the state.
She said that 20 WASSCE centres in the state were suspended by the external examination body due to reported cases of examination malpractice perpetrated by the principals and some of their staff.
The commissioner hinted that the respective area offices of the ministry were already handling the matter for onward reports to the ministry headquarters.
“From the preliminary reports 20 centres including centres in private schools were suspended due to examination malpractice.
“So, we are looking forward to the inspectors from the respective area offices to sent the final reports to us for investigation and possible sanction to the culprits,” the Commissioner said.
She noted that the ministry would not allow anybody to sabotage its efforts of making the education sector in the state one of the best in the country in terms of outputs.
“We would not tolerate the existence of miracle centres where excellence results were being produced through malpractice.
“We intend to reposition and make the education sector the best in the best in the country through hard work and dedication and not through a dubious means,” she added.
In his contribution, the State Chairman of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Ogiri Christopher, condemned the attitude of the affected principals.
