The House Committee on Basic Education and Services has asked the Federal Government not to cancel the 2020West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The Chairman of the committee, Julius Ihonvbere (APC-Edo), made this know in a statement.
According to him, the position of the committee is that it should not be canceled. He said the committee was amazed at the announcement by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, where he stated that Nigerian students would not be participating in the 2020 WASSCE.
The lawmaker said the minister did not inform the country if the position was in agreement with other West African leaders or in consultation with the examination bodies, the state governments, and other stakeholders in the education sector.
He said the sudden decision to cancel WAEC will bring more confusion in the education sector and frustrate students.
“Nigeria is not the only country expected to write the examination in the midst of the current health crisis; Nigeria should insist that the examination be based exclusively on the already covered syllabus of schools.”
“The Federal Ministry of Education should not chicken out of its responsibilities, but take charge, provide policy direction, engage the states and other stakeholders.” He added.
The Lawmakers also suggests the following guidelines for the smooth conduct of the exam;
- WAEC should quadruple its invigilators and use all classrooms and event centres to conduct the examination and comply with NCDC protocols.
- The Ministry of Science and Technology as well as the Ministries of Environment and Health should immediately work out an agenda to fumigate all classrooms, provide handwashing buckets with soap and water, and facemasks to all students.
- Students should come from home, write the paper and disperse immediately,” he said.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct all ministers to return to their states to work with the governors to ensure smooth implementation of the policy and conduct of the examination.
According to the legislator, “we are parents just like the minister and no Nigerian parent would want to delay, distort, even terminate the progress of any child.”
He said that the committee was convinced that if the recommendations were implemented, the WASSCE could be conducted with ease and with no repercussions.
