NABTEB Releases guidelines for the conduct of 2020 exams

As one of the examination bodies that conduct in-school certificate examinations in Nigeria, NABTEB was at the verge of closing its registration of candidates for the May/June 2020 Certificate Examinations when all schools were closed and movement restricted by the Federal Government as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

With the reopening of schools by the Federal Government for the conduct of the in-school Ordinary Level certificate examinations for the exit classes, NABTEB adjusted its time-table and rescheduled its examinations as follows:

The National Business Certificate (NBC)/National Technical Certificate (NTC) examinations of NABTEB will be conducted at accredited examination centres from Monday, 21st of September to Thursday, 15th of October 2020;

The National Common Entrance Examination will take place on Saturday, 3rd of October, 2020;

Considering that the Federal Government directed that students in exit classes should resume school, prepare and participate in public examinations, including the NBC/NTC examinations of NABTEB, the Board considered it necessary to prepare this document in order to provide basic information on COVID-19 Pandemic as well as provide guidelines for her stakeholders to ensure that the Board’s examinations are conducted under safety environment.

NABTEB deems it expedient to reach out and create awareness on basic information on the COVID-19 Pandemic among its stakeholders, including:

The major symptoms of COVID-19 are:

High temperature (fever);
Sneezing;
Dry cough;
Difficulty in breathing;
Shivering/shaking (Chills);
Body pains;
Headache;
Sore throat;
Loss of smell and taste;
Running nose;
Catarrh;
Fatigue (tiredness).

The following are the modes by which the virus could be contracted:

Close contact with an infected person(s) through respiratory droplets
Touching contaminated object(s) or surfaces such as tables, chairs, fabrics, writing materials etc.
Using contaminated hand(s)/object(s) to touch the eyes, nose or mouth.

Guidelines for Conduct of NABTEB Examinations in the Face of COVID-19

In compliance with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Guidelines on COVID-19 for the conduct of Public Examinations in Nigeria and in line with Guidelines for Schools and Learning Facilities Reopening after COVID-19 Pandemic closures by the Federal Ministry of Education, the following are essential for the safe conduct of NABTEB Examinations:

Display of sensitization posters in the school premises to create awareness on COVID-19 pandemic;
Availability of running water, soap, alcohol-based sanitizer, infra-red thermometer in schools/examination centres;
Compulsory wearing of Nose/Face Masks;
Daily use of infrared thermometers at the entrance of schools/examination centres for candidates, staff, examination personnel and all other visitors to the school;
Regular and thorough washing of hands with soap under running water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers at the school gate and the entrance of examination halls/classrooms;
Maintenance of social/physical distancing with at least two (2) metres or six (6) feet apart for sitting arrangement which could necessitate the use of additional halls/classrooms;
Prohibition of handshaking, hugging and face touching among candidates, teachers and examination personnel including security officials;
Ensuring availability and use of adequate/well ventilated examination halls/classrooms;
Maintenance of good sanitary habits and cleanliness in all the school toilets;
Provision of First Aid Box;
Availability of a separate classroom to be used as Isolation Room for candidates or examination personnel who show any of the COVID-19 symptoms while contact should be made to the nearest NCDC office;
Establishment of COVID-19 Task Team in all schools to ensure compliance to the guidelines and keeping appropriate records of all health related cases;
Ensuring daily fumigation/decontamination of examination halls/classrooms, laboratories workshops, library and other necessary places to ensure a safe and clean environment.