The recently concluded 2025 Middle Basic Assessment (MBA) examination in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State, has sparked widespread concerns among parents and stakeholders over overcrowded classrooms and inadequate examination centres.
Over 3,000 learners from about 50 public and private schools sat for the MBA exams in Uhunmwode LGA alone. Many students were forced to sit four to a desk due to the limited number of centres, raising worries about comfort, fairness, and examination integrity.
In response, several parents and school representatives have appealed to the Edo State Ministry of Education to increase the number of MBA examination centres to match the growing student population across public and private schools.
Despite a delayed start caused by heavy rainfall, the examination eventually commenced at 11 am and proceeded smoothly across the designated centres. Journalists who monitored the process reported that halls were filled to capacity, reflecting a notable rise in learner enrollment for the 2025 MBA in Edo State.
Supervisors Omosigho Matthew and Mrs. Charity Boro, who oversaw the exercise at Ase Primary School and Umagbai Secondary School respectively, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exams. At these centres, about 1,090 pupils from 25 primary schools participated. Both supervisors confirmed that examination materials were adequate and commended the cooperation of parents and learners, which contributed to a hitch-free exercise.
Mr. Elvis Ugiagbe, the Examination Secretary for Uhunmwode LGA, inspected various centres and described the conduct of the 2025 MBA as excellent compared to previous years. He praised the improved organization, the decentralization of the examination process, and the active involvement of private school proprietors.
Mr. Ugiagbe recommended that the Edo State Ministry of Education build on this year’s success by ensuring all centres begin simultaneously and that logistics be improved to prevent weather-related delays. He emphasized the need for reliable transportation of examination materials to prevent any disruptions.
“The examination this year is excellent compared to last year’s,” Ugiagbe said. “Private school owners are satisfied because they were carried along from the onset. Question papers and answer sheets were enough for all pupils; there were no hiccups or shortfalls. The environment was serene and calm, and invigilators carried out their duties diligently.
“Last year, this centre was rowdy and we even recorded cases of examination malpractice, but today there is none of that. The right personnel were engaged, the process was decentralized, and private school proprietors were fully involved,” he added.
Stakeholders have called on the Edo State Ministry of Education to sustain these gains a
nd implement further
