NECO postpones 2nd test for admission to unity schools

The test is meant for pupils who passed the first examination.

The National Examinations Council, NECO, on Thursday announced the postponement of the second test for pupils seeking admission to unity schools to July 12, an official said in Abuja on Thursday.

The test, meant for pupils who passed the first examination, was earlier slated for June 28.

The officer in-charge of NECO in Abuja, Mustapaha Abdul, said that the test was rescheduled to give candidates, who qualified for the second test, more time to register.

The second test is to enable the council select the best candidates for admission to Federal Government Colleges, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, had said.

Mr. Wike, who spoke while monitoring the Common Entrance Examination held on April 26, explained that the step was in line with the government’s promise to ensure that 60 per cent of admissions to the colleges was based on merit.
According to him, 40 per cent will be allocated based on quota system.

The Registrar of NECO, Promise Okpala, said the measure was part of government’s commitment to ensuring access and quality in enrolment at all levels of education.

Mr. Okpala said 94,234 candidates registered for the Common Entrance Examination in 2014 as against 88,444 in 2013.
He said 18,726 candidates registered for the examination in Abuja alone while Lagos State had the highest number of enrolment with 26,926 candidates.

Mr. Okpala said that there was a decrease in enrolment in some northern states.

“Borno State registered 218, Yobe 176 and Adamawa 318 and Zamfara 113 candidates which is the lowest,” he said.
Mr. Okpala said the increase in enrolment was a proof of parents’ confidence in the quality of education offered by the schools.

(NAN)