Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have urged the Nigerian Government to reconsider its position on the West African Senior Schools Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) organized by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
The Federal Government had announced that schools will remain closed and students under its jurisdiction will not be allowed to write the 2020 WAEC examinations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The House asked the Federal Government to reverse its decision and ensure that all necessary safety measures were in place to ensure that Nigerian students are able to write the examinations.
The House reached the decision following a motion of public importance moved by Nnoli Nnaji expressing the need to allow students participate in the 2020 examinations.
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Nnaji explained to the House the conflicting decisions by the Federal Government with the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajubia announcing on July 6 that students will be allowed to write the exams and Federal Minister, Adamu Adamu countering the announcement that students will not write the 2020 WAEC.
Nnaji described the conflicting information as capable of having a negstive effect on students planning to write the annual exam. He revealed further that WAEC had picked the examination dates after consultations with health experts and the representatives of the five governments that make up its council.
“The choice of the date was not arbitrary, rather, WAEC consulted extensively with the government of all 5 countries that makes up the council,” Nnaji said.
“I am worried by these contradictory pronouncements by the two Ministers within a short period of time. I’m worried that Nigeria’s non participation in the annual exam portends psychological, social-economic and negative health of the students, and already overburdened parents and guardians.
“The decision will be devastating on our education system and Nigeria’s economy at large. It will also frustrate the students.
By taking precautionary measures, the federal government reopened the market, airports, inter-state travel and religious centres. The government should apply the same measures.”
The lawmakers thereafter passed the motion without debate and directed the House Committees on Basic Education and Health Services to ensure compliance.