By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has attributed delayed conduct
of Mathematics and Agricultural Science examinations in some centres to
logistical and operational challenges.
It blamed an accident, which claimed lives of its personnel for the delay.
WAEC, the organiser of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination
(WASSCE) made the explanation in a statement signed by the council’s Head of
Public Affairs Department, Mrs Moyosola Adesina on Monday.
“The delay resulted partly from a devastating motor accident which claimed three
personnel transporting sensitive examination materials interstate, severely
disrupting our planned distribution schedule,” it said.
It described the incident as heartbreaking, saying that emergency contingency
measures were activated promptly to ensure examinations were eventually
conducted in the affected centres.
“While mourning our fallen colleagues, dedicated staff worked tirelessly around
the clock, deploying emergency arrangements that enabled conduct of
examinations across the affected areas,” it said.
WAEC also attributed the delay to issues surrounding finalisation of examination
modalities and late registration of candidates which, it said, affected preparation of
materials.
The examination body also said that security challenges and protests against
abduction of schoolchildren disrupted movements and affected timely delivery of
examination materials.
It gave the assurance that modalities had been strengthened to guarantee smooth
conduct of the remaining papers.
