Night WAEC conduct: ‘When fault is theirs it’s challenge but when it’s school’s, it’s malpractice’
Khalid ABRAHAM
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Nigerians are up at arms with the West African Examination Council WAEC over Wednesday’s conduct of its English Language Paper 2 as some schools started after 9:00 pm, an exam that should have started 9:00am.
“We started the examination English language at 9:21pm when the schedule time was 2:00pm,” a student of Muslim Comprehensive High School, Oko in Surulere local government area of Oyo state lamented while speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com.
The candidate who begged for anonymity continued, “l never witnessed anything like that. We waited from morning till night, expecting the question paper. We suffered hunger because we couldn’t leave the venue not knowing when they would bring the question paper.”
”It was frustrating. We had to use all available means to provide lighting like torches etc when the exam eventually started after 9pm. That wasn’t exam, whereas in other centres it wasn’t like that.”
This was the scenario also at the Baptist Secondary Grammar School in the same Oko and in several other schools. So, as students are lamenting, parents, guardians, principals, teachers and other stakeholders also are.
A distraught principal fumed, “If there is a default or mistake in the school, no consideration, no mercy, WAEC and government will become intransigent, quick to sanction the school, the principal, supervisor and the staff who invigilated the paper. Principals have been demoted, made to face stiff penalties including financial sanctions by the affected schools when there’s an appearance of malpractice.
“They make us scapegoats for what may not necessarily be our fault. Whereas most times it’s from them questions leak. What happened yesterday was a typical break in logistics but they blame it on challenge and they expect the world to understand. But they are always quick to demonise us if glitches happen in schools. We should not always be at the receiving end.”
Reacting meanwhile through a press release issued by its public affairs department and signed by Moyosola Adesina, anipr-Ag. Head, Public Affairs, WAEC attributed the problem to logistical hurdles which it stated arose as a result of its desire to prevent examination malpractices.
Titled, “Re: Delayed conduct of English Language for WASSCE for school candidates, 2025,” it notes, “The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) acknowledges the challenges currently being faced during the conduct of WASSCE for School Candidate, 2025 including the delay in the timely conduct of English Language Paper 2 which was taken today.
“While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper. While we successfully achieved our objective, it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.
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“Despite our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and sociocultural factors that negatively influenced our operations. In order to forestall future occurrences of this nature, the Council is currently collaborating with security agencies. We recognize the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on the candidates, their schools and parents, and we sincerely apologize for any inconveniences caused.
“The West African Examinations Council, appreciates the understanding and support of all stakeholders during this period. We remain committed to upholding the highest standard in the conduct of examinations and shall continue to promote academic excellence.”
