Nigeria: Parents express outrage as WAEC exam delays force students to write late into the night
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
Fresh concerns have emerged over the conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as widespread delays at several examination centres forced candidates to sit for papers late into the night.
The situation has sparked frustration among parents, school administrators and education stakeholders, especially as similar incidents occurred during last year’s examinations.
Reports from examination centres across Lagos, including Lagos Island and the Lekki area, indicate that delays have become more frequent in recent days.
On Monday, candidates scheduled to sit for Physics Papers 2 and 1 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. reportedly experienced significant setbacks, with some students not beginning one of the papers until around 8 p.m.
The disruptions continued on Wednesday when candidates writing General Mathematics faced lengthy delays. Examinations that were expected to end in the afternoon reportedly stretched into the night, with some students completing their papers around 10 p.m.
As of Thursday evening, candidates waiting to sit for Agricultural Science Practical were still at their examination centres hours after the scheduled start time because materials had yet to arrive.
The recurring delays have triggered concerns about students’ safety, mental well-being and ability to perform under such conditions.
One school principal, who preferred not to be named, questioned why the challenges were recurring despite similar problems experienced last year.
According to the principal, students who prepare mentally for examinations at a specific time may struggle to maintain concentration and perform at their best after waiting for several hours.
Parents have also voiced frustration, with many expressing concern over the welfare of students returning home late at night.
A parent in Lekki said his child did not return home until about 10 p.m. after Wednesday’s examination, adding that many had expected improvements after the issues recorded in the previous examination cycle.
The delays have also generated widespread reactions online, where parents and concerned Nigerians have criticised the situation and called for better planning by examination authorities.
Some social media users alleged that candidates waited for hours before supervisors arrived, while others raised concerns about shortages of examination materials and additional charges for mathematical instruments.
Many questioned how students could be expected to remain focused and perform effectively after spending most of the day waiting to write their examinations.
Reacting to the complaints, a WAEC official acknowledged that the council was aware of the challenges and said efforts were underway to resolve the situation.
The official explained that unforeseen circumstances contributed to the disruptions but assured stakeholders that measures were being taken to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
While WAEC has yet to issue a formal public statement on the matter, parents and education stakeholders are urging the examination body to explain the cause of the delays and take steps to prevent future occurrences.
