KEY POINTS
- Students from Taraba state had to write WAEC exams up until midnight on wednesday.
- A lot of these students are in their early teenage years and these has sparked a great concern for their welfare.
- Parents have called on WEAC to explain while their children had to write exams up until midnight.
Taraba State’s parents and school proprietors have criticized WAEC over what they believe is poor management, as candidates had to write their English Language test very late on Wednesday.
Exam delayed to 9:00 p.m without explanation
Originally planned to start in the early part of the day, the WASSCE English paper did not begin until close to 9:00 p.m. They did not offer an official explanation for the delay. A lot of the children also attending the test, a few just fifteen years old, attended school from early in the day up until they could start writing.
Life for teenagers is full of mental and physical challenges
Because classes were delayed, students felt both physically and mentally tired. Speaking to Vanguard, the school proprietor said the students were not in any state to write the exam so late. They had to feed their bodies and their minds when growing up. The situation was so fragile in the early days of the paper that things barely worked or held up, she noted.
Schools required to offer emergency help
Due to the late timing and significant rainfall, schools needed to take emergency action. The same owner explained that the rainy weather forced her to move the exam supervisors around herself and get enough fuel to run a generator for lighting. “I didn’t see us paying for this in my planning,” she said.
WAEC made a number of students stayed at the school overnight
Some students were able to leave after midnight, but most had to stay overnight at school, worrying parents and teachers about safety and emotional harm.
Outrage and requests for justice concerning WAEC
Parents and educators are calling on WAEC to explain what happened in the incident. They are asking for an extensive investigation to make certain a similar incident does not happen again. A parent believes that WAEC should prioritise students and build back the confidence the public has in the agency.
The authority has not released a statement explaining the reasons for the delay.
