A total of 3,625 candidates yesterday sat the Science Placement Examination for admission into six science and technical schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with officials crediting the ongoing renovation of public school facilities for improved coordination of the exercise.

The examination, organised by the Education Resource Centre under the FCT Education Secretariat, held at designated centres across the territory. The Director of the ERC, Dr Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, said it was conducted in an orderly manner, with adequate measures in place to ensure supervision and compliance with guidelines.

She attributed part of the improved coordination to the school renovation programme under the FCT Administration, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, saying rehabilitated school halls had allowed the ERC to reduce the number of examination centres from more than 16 to a smaller number of larger, more conducive venues, easing monitoring.

Abdulrahim said improved facilities alone could not guarantee a successful examination, stressing the continued need for proper planning, coordination and commitment from officials and school authorities. She appealed to parents gathered at centres to be patient and security-conscious, assuring them adequate safety arrangements were in place.

Some candidates said admission into the specialised schools would provide a foundation for future careers in medicine, pharmacy, medical laboratory science and engineering.

The six schools are Government Science and Technical College, Area 3, Garki; Government Science Secondary School, Maitama; Government Science Secondary School, Abaji; Government Girls Science Secondary School, Kuje; Government Science and Technical College, Kwali; and Government Science Secondary School, Bwari.

(The Nation)