The University Librarian, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Associate Prof. Angela Ebele Okpala, has charged invigilators to be student-friendly during examinations.
Okpala gave the charge during her recent tour of the Benin Study Centre, NOUN, Benin City, Edo State, to monitor the ongoing 2024_2 e-exams.
The librarian, who on arrival in Benin was accorded a warm welcome by the Centre Director, Dr. Hakeem Disu, and his members of staff, said that exams, in their nature, induce stress in students.
She, therefore, urged invigilators and exam supervisors to be polite, genial, and firm with students while not compromising the integrity and quality assurance of the exercise.
She opined that handling students with politeness and friendliness would lessen the stress that the exam situation might induce in them and create a conducive environment for mental alertness and memory recall.
Okpala added that it is the duty of invigilators and exam supervisors to provide students with a supportive atmosphere conducive to optimal performance.
To this end, she advised the exam officers to interact with students in a calm and reassuring manner and ensure that they receive appropriate guidance throughout the exam process.
This approach, she said, will not only benefit the students but will also enhance the integrity of examinations and the quality assurance of the institution.
Okpala commended the management of Benin Study Centre for its well-organised and meticulous check-in procedure for students as they enter the exam hall.
She expressed delight over the manner in which the seating arrangement was handled, noting that it will significantly help to minimise the incidences of misconduct during the examinations.
