WAEC Addresses Late-Night WASSCE Exams, Citing
Security Measures and Apologizes for Inconvenience
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has
issued an apology following widespread reports of students across Nigeria
sitting for their English Language paper of the 2025 West African Senior School
Certificate Examination (WASSCE) late into the night on May 28. In some
instances, students completed their exams as late as 11:45 p.m., using
torchlights due to power outages.
Reasons Behind the Delay
WAEC attributed the delays to deliberate security and
logistical measures aimed at preventing the leakage of examination materials
and safeguarding the integrity of the test. The council acknowledged that while
these measures achieved their objective, they inadvertently impacted the timely
and seamless conduct of the examination.
In a statement by Moyosola Adeshina, Acting Head of
Public Affairs at WAEC, the council expressed regret over the inconvenience
caused to candidates, schools, and parents. They emphasized their commitment to
upholding the highest standards in the conduct of examinations and promoting
academic excellence.
Affected Regions and Student Experiences
Reports indicate that the delays affected multiple
states, including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Benue, Osun, and Taraba. In some areas,
students began their exams as late as 9:00 p.m., with some finishing around
midnight.
Parents and guardians expressed concern over the
safety and well-being of their children, who had to navigate late-night travel
after the exams. In riverine communities like Ebukuma in Rivers State, exam
papers reportedly arrived around 10:00 p.m., with students completing their
exams by 1:00 a.m.
Steps Towards Improvement
WAEC has stated that it is collaborating with security
agencies to prevent future occurrences of such delays. The council reaffirmed
its dedication to ensuring the timely conduct of examinations and minimizing
disruptions that could affect students' performance and well-being.
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