WAEC Nigeria To Host 2019 AEAA Conference

***Seek Deployment of Technology In Conducting Exams

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

The West African Examination Council (WAEC), Nigeria will play host to the forthcoming 37^th Annual Conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) which will hold from August 5 to 9, 2019 at Abuja.

This is just as the Head of the Nigeria National Office of the council, MR. Olu Adenipekun revealed that the critical issue that will be discussed at the conference will be how WAEC Nigeria will deploy technology into the conduct of public examination.

The 37^th Edition of the AEAA with the theme: “Innovations in Educational Assessment” is expected to be declared open by the Minister of Education of the federal republic of Nigeria and attract participants from 25 countries in Africa.

According to Adenipekun, the focus of the event will be on the place of technology in the educational sector.

“I have received presentations from organizations from Europe, America and even Nigeria, they have assured to come with equipments, innovations that will make positive impact in the educational  sector in Nigeria.

However, he noted that inasmuch as the council seeks new technology and innovations, the council will also ensure that the integrity of its examinations and certificates so that they are not in any way compromised by negative deployment of technology.

On Partnership he said, “The West African Examinations Council in Nigeria with the support of our Partners, Friends of Council, and other Organisations and Institutions in Nigeria, have put in place, necessary arrangements to ensure a successful hosting of the Conference.

Adenipekun mention that there will be presentations of academic papers from Keynote Speakers; paper presentation in plenary sessions; four parallel sessions and breakout sessions.  Cocktails, Gala and Cultural Nights are a few number of events that have been planned for the evenings during the Conference to help delegates unwind and relax.

Furthermore, he said “A list of fascinating places for delegates to visit during the excursion and tours around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and its environs have been drawn. The proposed tourist sites are Nike Art Gallery, Katampe Hill, the geographical centre of Nigeria, Ushafa Pottery, Lower Usman Dam, GuraraFalls and Zuma Rock.”

The Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) is a non-profit making organisation established in 1982 to promote co-operation amongst examining and assessment bodies in Africa; encourage relevant examining and assessment activities among members; to share experience and knowledge on issues of evaluation and assessment; sponsor international participation in the field of educational testing and assessment within the individual members countries among other objectives.

The Association was born out of what was then known as the sub-regional conference for Heads of Institutions responsible for educational assessment in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Many other African Countries later joined the Association and in 1982 in Arusha, Tanzania, AEAA was born drawing its membership from across the continent of Africa. Its vision is the harmonization of educational assessments on the African continent. It is affiliated to the International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) of which WAEC Nigeria is an active member.