NECO acquires OMR scanner to bolster exam efficiency

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has acquired a high-performance Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanner to enhance the efficiency, credibility, and security of its examinations.

The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, speaking at the inauguration of the newly installed scanning machine at the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department in Minna on Thursday, said this was part of the council’s efforts to improve accuracy, speed, and reliability in its examination processes.

The Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, NECO, Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

Wushishi revealed that the Scantron Insight 1500c is a high-performance OMR scanner known for its precision, speed, and ability to handle a large volume of scripts efficiently.

He explained, “With this new addition, we will significantly enhance our data processing capabilities, ensuring faster and more accurate results processing for millions of candidates worldwide.”

According to him, the newly acquired scanner can scan over 15,000 OMR sheets per hour and 250 sheets per minute.

The Registrar stated that the scanning machine, which cost about N500 million, has the capacity to simultaneously scan and score OMR sheets.

Prof. Wushishi emphasized that the acquisition of the high-speed scanner is a testament to NECO’s commitment to leveraging technology in all its examination processes.

The Director of the ICT Department, Mr. Goddy Usioboh, in his address, said the acquisition of the new scanner aligns with NECO’s vision of delivering world-class examination services while maintaining the integrity of its assessments.

The Technical Adviser from Scantron Company, Minnesota, USA, Mr. Tom Harry, who trained the ICT Department staff on the operations of the new scanning machine, expressed satisfaction with the staff’s high level of dedication and diligence during the training.