Plateau State has taken a new step in its scholarship process as the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Kachollom Pyam Gang, announced the introduction of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) in the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship program. According to her, the CBT was necessary to verify the results students presented during the first screening stage.
She expressed concern that some students with excellent grades in WAEC and NECO examinations might have secured them from what she described as “passing centers” where candidates pay to obtain good results. Dr. Pyam explained that the scholarship requires five distinctions, and the CBT is now used to compare candidates’ performances with the results they submitted.
The Commissioner revealed that the exercise lasted two days, and the board had to change the set of questions in the second round. “The process has been successful so far,” she stated. She added that the results would be carefully reviewed to give every candidate a fair opportunity, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, ensuring they benefit from the scholarship without relying on connections.
Dr. Gang expressed appreciation to parents for their patience in bringing their children for the CBT examination. She confirmed that while about 600 students applied, only 200 will be selected. Interestingly, she noted that candidates who did not present distinctions but showed strong CBT performance could stand a better chance than those who had distinctions.
She further clarified that the scholarship’s qualification standards require distinctions, either A or B grades, in five science subjects, including Mathematics and English Language. Speaking on sustainability, she said, “This is the first batch. We’ll see how it goes, and if funds are available, another batch will go next year. But if there are no funds, the first batch will have to graduate before we admit another batch.”
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Scholarship Board, Mrs. Nankus Adams Ngwalang, expressed gratitude to the state government under Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for introducing the “Time is Now” initiative. She emphasized the importance of considering the poor in scholarship awards and assured that the 200 successful candidates would be duly notified.
