By Mark Mayah
Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, on Wednesday, inspected the ongoing Year 2025 Entrance Examination (Screening Test) for admission into the State Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools.
The Commissioner visited other three centres at Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Epe Campus and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LAUSTEECH) was also at the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Zonal office in Ogba accompanied by Mrs Abiola Dokummu-Adegbite, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry and top officials from the Lagos State Examinations Board (LSEB).
During the visit to the WAEC Centre in Ogba, the Commissioner and the officials moved from cubicle to cubicle to supervise the conduct of the screening test at the centre scheduled to cater for a total of 2523 candidates.
Hon. Alli-Balogun lauded the huge turnout of the candidates for the test and commended the parents and guardians for their orderly conduct.
In an interview with newsmen, the Commissioner commended the management of the centre for the excellent facilities, saying the rate of connectivity was high and the conduct of the test was seamless.
“It is about testing their ability and capability to be placed for admission into our model colleges.
“The examination process has been seamless. The pupils were able to log in and do the examination without challenges. The turnout has been impressive because we have a large population. The examination is also taking place in other centres simultaneously, including the School for the Blind.
The candidates comprise candidates from both public and approved private schools. The challenge of the inability to use the computer cannot be total because some of the candidates are not properly exposed to the usage of the computer. We will get there as soon as possible.
“We will ensure that, at least, all schools have computers so that these candidates can have access to ICT and have the necessary experience when it comes to examination through CBT,” he added.
The Screening Test for primary 6 pupils in public and private schools is the only yardstick for admission into JSS1 in any Model College.
The candidates that passed and met the required cut-off marks will be offered admission into any of the Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools irrespective of his / her First or Second choice.
Parents and guardians at the screening venue, who spoke with our correspondent, were filled with Joy for the prompt time kept by the Examinations Board.
Akinwunmi Olaide, a parent with two children for the screening, said: “I am overwhelmed by the orderly conduct of the screening. Officials were on ground as early as 7:30 am when I arrived with my children at the venue.
“Kudos to Education ministry officials and those of Lagos state Examinations Board for peaceful and orderly conduct of the test”, Akinwunmi stated.
Adesina Olusegun, another parent at the venue, however called on the authority to compel primary schools owners to teach computers in theory and practical, to avoid lapses, as some of the candidates does not understand computer applications.