By Joy Idam in Abuja
The Education Secretariat, through the Education Resource Centre (ERC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has commenced the orientation of examiners for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), marking the official commencement of the script-marking exercise across designated centres within the Federal Capital Territory.
The orientation programme, organised by the ERC, is designed to equip examiners with the approved marking guidelines while reinforcing the principles of fairness, objectivity, accuracy, consistency, and professionalism required in the assessment of candidates’ scripts.
Addressing the examiners, the Director of the Education Resource Centre, Dr. Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, charged them to uphold the ethics of the teaching profession by discharging their responsibilities with integrity, diligence, and the fear of God.
She described the marking exercise as a sacred responsibility, noting that the scores awarded to candidates have the potential to shape their academic future and should therefore be determined with the highest level of honesty and professionalism.
Dr. Abdulrahim urged the examiners to avoid bias, favouritism, negligence, or any action capable of compromising the credibility and integrity of the examination process. She stressed that every script must be assessed strictly in accordance with the approved marking scheme to ensure that each candidate receives the marks they genuinely deserve.
In her words,”the future of these children is in your hands. Whatever score you award today has the potential to shape their academic journey. Therefore, I urge you to mark every script with honesty, fairness, and the fear of God. Let your conscience and professional ethics guide you throughout this exercise.”
The Director acknowledged that although the financial remuneration for the exercise may not adequately reflect the value of the services rendered by the examiners, their dedication and sacrifices remain invaluable. She described their contribution as a noble service to humanity and the education sector, praying that Almighty God would abundantly reward their efforts.
She further encouraged the examiners to remain steadfast and committed to doing what is right, emphasising the importance of strict adherence to the approved marking guide to ensure uniformity and standardisation throughout the assessment process.
Dr. Abdulrahim also underscored the importance of consistency in marking as a critical requirement for maintaining the credibility and integrity of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). She reminded the examiners of their obligation to maintain absolute confidentiality throughout the exercise by handling all examination scripts and official documents with the utmost care, responsibility, and professionalism.
The Director expressed profound appreciation to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, for his unwavering commitment to improving the quality of education in the Territory. She also commended the Mandate Secretary for Education, the Management and Staff of the Education Resource Centre, and all stakeholders for their continued dedication and cooperation in strengthening quality assurance in the administration of public examinations.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Education Resource Centre to sustaining excellence in examination administration through continuous capacity building, effective coordination, and robust quality assurance mechanisms.
The highlight of the *3-day* orientation programme for various subjects ended with a renewed pledge by the examiners to discharge their duties faithfully, professionally, and impartially, in line with the vision of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to provide a credible, transparent, and equitable education system for every learner.
