The scheduled dates dates for the conduct of the National Primary School Exam (NPSE), the Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) remain unchanged, a senior official of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) said on Friday.
Monday August 3, 2020, has been slated for NPSE; BECE September 14, and it may last for 10 days including weekends; and WASSCE from August 11 – September 7.
The WAEC official who spoke on anonymity because he was not authorised to do so, said that they have not received any correspondence for Council to defer the exams, and because of that the exams will be held as scheduled.
His comments came after the Federal Government of Nigeria had said that, that country will not take part in this year’s examination owing to the risk which the Coronavirus pandemic continues to pose in the world.
Member countries of WAEC include, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Gambia.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, was quoted by theeagleonline.com.ng that, the West African Examinations Council was meeting with other countries it is servicing with a view to getting their buy-in to postpone the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for the year.
Briefing newsmen on Wednesday, Nwajiuba, however, said Nigeria was awaiting the outcome of the meeting between Nigeria and the other countries involved.
He said after the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber of the State House: “We are still meeting with parents over that. We are not confident yet that everywhere is safe.”
“The number of COVID-19 infections from the National Centre for Disease Control are still very alarming and we have presented this to parents and all stakeholders in the education system. We are still meeting with them,” he said
“In fact, there is a stakeholder meeting slated for Monday next week,” she continued.
Nwajiuba concluded thus: “WAEC on its own part is also negotiating with other West African countries to look at possible shift in date and once they are through with that meeting, and hopefully when we are also through with the consultations, if there is any change in the ministry’s position, we will communicate.”
By Sallieu S. Kanu
21/07/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7870