FG cancels NECO second test for unity schools

Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, yesterday announced the cancellation of 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 minister had earlier invalidated post-UTME conducted by universities.

He said in a statement signed by the ministry’s Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ben Bem Goong, that the cancellation was with effect from the 2017/2018 academic year. He said the second test was an unnecessary additional financial burden on parents and guardians, ‘describing it as unacceptable.’

“The era of multiple examinations attracting prohibitive fees cannot be accommodated by the Buhari administration, especially against the backdrop of government’s determination to increase access to education as a platform for breaking the cycle of poverty,” the statement said.

The Minister said that the 2017/2018 effective date for the cancellation of the second NECO test was informed by the fact that this year’s exercise had already been concluded.

He said the 2016/2017 academic year remained the effective date for the ban on post-UTME and advised vice chancellors to adhere strictly to the policy.