Concerns are mounting over the conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as repeated delays in the distribution of examination materials have forced candidates in some centres to sit for papers late into the night.
The situation has drawn criticism from parents, school administrators and education stakeholders, many of whom say the examination body has failed to address challenges similar to those experienced during last year’s examination.
Investigations across several examination centres in Lagos, particularly on Lagos Island and within the Lekki corridor, revealed that disruptions have become increasingly frequent in recent days.
On Monday, candidates writing Physics Papers 2 and 1 reportedly experienced significant delays despite the examination being scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. In some centres, students did not begin the second paper until around 8 p.m.
The situation worsened on Wednesday during the General Mathematics examination. Candidates who were expected to complete both the essay and objective papers by late afternoon reportedly remained in examination halls until about 10 p.m. before concluding the exercise.
As of Thursday evening, students scheduled to sit for the Agricultural Science Practical examination were still waiting for examination materials several hours after the scheduled commencement time. Some centres informed candidates that the required materials had not yet arrived.
A secondary school principal, who preferred not to be named, expressed frustration over the recurring problems.
“It is disappointing that we are witnessing the same issues again after the experience of last year. Beyond the security concerns associated with students returning home late, these delays also have serious psychological effects on candidates. Students prepare mentally for examinations at specific times, only to end up writing several hours later,” the principal said.
According to him, many stakeholders had expected the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to have implemented measures to prevent a repeat of last year’s disruptions.
Parents have also voiced their displeasure. One parent in the Lekki area described the situation as unacceptable, noting that students’ welfare and safety were being compromised.
“My child got home around 10 p.m. after the mathematics examination on Wednesday. We believed lessons would have been learned from last year’s experience, but unfortunately, the same challenges are resurfacing,” he said.
The delays have triggered widespread reactions on social media, where parents and concerned citizens have complained about late commencement of examinations, shortages of question papers and poor coordination at some centres.
Some users alleged that candidates were left waiting for hours before supervisors arrived, while others raised concerns about schools allegedly charging students for the use of mathematics sets during examinations.
Many have questioned how candidates can maintain concentration and perform at their best after spending most of the day waiting to write their papers. Others expressed worries about students travelling home late at night amid prevailing security concerns.
Reacting to the complaints, a WAEC official, who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, acknowledged the challenges and assured stakeholders that efforts were being made to resolve them.
“We are aware of some hitches caused by unforeseen circumstances. However, we are working tirelessly to address the issues and hope normalcy will be restored soon,” the official said.
Although WAEC is yet to issue an official public statement explaining the cause of the delays, education stakeholders have called on the examination body to provide clarity and implement lasting solutions to prevent future disruptions.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has urged the Federal Government to reconsider its position on WASSCE-related matters and work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth conduct of examinations nationwide.