FG cancels second NECO test for unity schools

THE Federal Government has cancelled the second test, otherwise known as National Common Entrance screening test, conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO) for admission into Federal Government Colleges.

The cancellation is with effect from 2017/2018 academic year.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, announced the cancellation of the screening in a statement, on Monday, in Abuja, by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Ben Bem Goong.

Adamu, while justifying the cancellation said that the second test conducted by the same NECO after the main national entrance examination was unnecessary and an additional financial burden on parents/guardians.

The minister said the era of multiple examinations attracting prohibitive fees could not be accommodated by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, especially against the backdrop of government’s determination to increase access to education as a platform for breaking the cycle of poverty.

He, therefore, directed NECO to strengthen its examination processes with a view to achieving a quality and credible National Common Entrance Examination for admission into unity schools at the first test.

According to the minister, whatever inputs that are needed to be made into the first examination must be done, adding that “multiple examinations do not necessarily translate into the admission of quality pupils in our secondary schools.”