WAEC Clerical Office Duties Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks
The WAEC Clerical Office Duties Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks covers topics such as office organization, procedures, equipment, communication, filing, meetings, and report writing. Key topics include the definition and functions of an office, office layouts, communication types, and the specific tasks of a receptionist and secretary.
Aims and Objectives
- Candidates Must understand the principles and procedures for performing clerical duties in an office
- Candidates must apply the knowledge acquired on the uses of office equipment and materials and perform basic clerical office duties
- Candidate Must communicate effectively
- Candidates must explain basic personal and professional habits and attitudes necessary for the performance of office duties.
Examination Guidelines
There will be two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, which will constitute a composite paper and will be taken in a sitting.
PAPER 1:
This paper will consist of fifty compulsory multiple-choice objective questions to be answered within 50 minutes for 30 marks.
PAPER 2:
This paper will be made up of one compulsory case study carrying 22 marks and six other questions, out of which candidates will be required to answer any three for 16 marks each.
The case study will be based on office situations, and candidates will be required to show an understanding of the issues involved.
The paper will carry a total of 70 marks and will last 2 hours and 10 minutes.
| Main Topic | Subtopics / Details |
|---|---|
| Definition of an Office | Meaning and nature of an office; functions and purpose. |
| Functions of an Office | – Receiving information- Recording information- Processing/Analysing information- Giving information- Storing information- Safeguarding/Protecting assets |
| Sections of an Office | – Reception- General Office- Stores- Mail Room/Registry |
| Departments | – Accounts- Purchasing- Sales- Personnel/Human Resource- Production- Legal- Administration- Transport |
| Office Personnel | – Office Manager- Office Supervisor- General Clerks- Accounts Clerks- Data Entry Clerks- Administrative Assistants- Secretaries (Company, Private, Stenographer)- Receptionist- Typist- Messenger |
| Professional Image of Office Staff | Personal & Business Attributes; Social habits, Personal Hygiene, Healthy Lifestyle, Time Management |
| Layout | – Open office- Closed office |
| Organisation | Principles: Unity of objectives, Span of control, Authority & Responsibility, Delegation, Unity of functions, Unity of command, Supervision, Remuneration, Accountability, Esprit de corpsStructures: Line, Line & Staff, Staff, Functional, MatrixOrganogram: Organisational chart representation |
| Business Transactions | Documents: Letter of enquiry, Quotation, Order, Invoice, Delivery Note, Debit/Credit Note, Statement, Cheque, Receipt, Purchase Requisition, etc.Payment Methods: Cash, Cheque, Standing order, Credit/Money transferPayroll Handling: Tax regimes (VAT, Income Tax, CST, Property Tax, Customs Duty), Petty Cash |
| Banking | Types of Banks; Types of Accounts (Savings, Current, Fixed Deposit); Cheques |
| Stock Procedure | Ordering of Stock; Duties of Storekeeper; Requisition; Stock Records (Annual, Periodic, Perpetual); Stock Control (Min/Max/Reorder levels); Stock Valuation (Cost, Average, Market, Lower) |
| Office Equipment/Machines | General: Computer, Photocopier, Duplicator, Typewriter, Calculator, Scanner, Fax, Cash Register, etc.Mail Room: Letter-opening, Addressing, Franking, Shredding machines; Scales; Scissors; Stapler; GuillotineICT: Use of computers and technology in office work |
| Communication | Meaning & Forms: Verbal (oral/written), Non-verbal, VisualChannels: Internal & externalBarriers: Organisational, Physical, Psychological, Socio-culturalCorrespondence: Letters, Circulars, Memos, Reports (various types)Mail Handling: Incoming/Outgoing mail, Registers, Postage & Messenger booksMeetings: Purpose, kinds, requirements, terminologies, and preparation of documents (Notice, Agenda, Minutes) |
| Business English | Proofreading, Office abbreviations, Spelling, Word division, Punctuation |
| Filing and Indexing | Classification Methods: Alphabetical, Numerical, Subject, Geographical, Chronological, Alpha-numericFiling Systems: Lateral, Suspension, Vertical, HorizontalRules for Filing, Indexing, Cross-referencing, Electronic filing, Central & Departmental filing |
| Reference Books & Sources of Information | Reference Books: Dictionary, Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Trade Journals, Post Office Guide, Telephone DirectoryGovernment Publications: Hansard, White Paper, Gazette, Financial Instructions, General OrdersSources: Personal documents (passport, tax clearance), Business information (exchange rates, stock listings, job bulletins) |
| Post Office Services | Postal: Stamps, Express mail, Registered mail, Airmail, Private mailboxCourier: EMS, DHL, FedExAgency: Remittance, Postal order, Money transfer |
| Human Relations | Internal & external relations, Public relations, Interpersonal skills |
| Health, Safety and Welfare in the Office | Health hazards, Accidents, Staff welfare programs |
| Pre-employment Procedures | Job Advertisement, Application letter & CV, The Interview |
| Entrepreneurship and Small-Scale Business | Meaning & characteristics of an entrepreneur; Features of small-scale business; Importance in society |
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