The fate of Nigerian students everywhere seems up in the air, as the government’s plans for the education sector, since the beginning of the pandemic, have been disconcertingly unclear. The most recent decision of the Federal Government to cancel Nigeria’s participation in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) WASSCE exams was met with considerable opposition; families whose lives have been ground to a halt by the pandemic are already exhausted with the constant dilly-dallying by the government.
Barely four days ago, the Federal Government held a different stance when it announced that the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) would hold from August 4 till September 5, 2020; promising Nigerians detailed guidelines and schedules in due time.
While it was a jolt to reality for Nigerian students, the decision suggested the government was considering a proactive approach in slowly easing Nigerians back into normalcy. People lauded the government’s decision as showing considerable foresight. Many discussed the issue of the Coronavirus, stating that social distancing could easily be practised and maintained at exam centres.
WAEC begins next month. Imagine social distancing in exam halls ??
— Azeez Olajide ❼ (@zeezish_) July 6, 2020
In a substantial back step, quick enough to give many whiplash, the Federal Government on Friday reversed its earlier announcement and informed citizens of the cancellation of Nigeria’s participation in the WAEC examinations, as scheduled this year. The statement said that schools under the control of the Ministry of Education would remain closed until it was safe to reopen and that those to participate in the common entrance exams were also affected by the cancellation.
Just in: FG suspends reopening of schools, students won’t write 2020 WAEC.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said that WAEC should suspend exams.https://t.co/aGETSE1Rj6 pic.twitter.com/EUTB8zc8Ig
— Nairametrics (@Nairametrics) July 8, 2020
The Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other Nigerians, have come out to condemn this decision; declaring that it was a huge step back for Nigeria. Atiku enunciated that the sudden cancellation would not only set Nigerian students back against their peers in Western nations but also affect Foreign Direct Investments and other economic indicators; emphasizing that these things were tied to the educational index of the country.
Atiku kicks against FG's plan to stop Nigerian students from writing 2020 WAEC pic.twitter.com/FYPKUqLiul
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 11, 2020
The former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri also piped in saying that it was shady for the government to hold elections but refuse to organize a successful WAEC examination, inferring that the government’s priorities were not in order.
Edo has 2,210,534 voters, while Ondo has 1,822,346. A total of 4,032,880. WAEC has 1.5 million registered students in Nigeria. WAEC exams takes 5 hours. Voting takes all day. So, what is the rationale for suspending WASSCE, yet go on with Edo and Ondo elections?#BuhariTormentor
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) July 10, 2020
They didn't cancel Edo and Ondo elections but cancelled WAEC. That speaks volumes what our priorities are as a nation.
— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) July 11, 2020
How can General @MBuhari say WAEC exams won’t hold this year, yet Edo and Ondo elections will hold? Which is riskier? Exam or elections? @OfficialAPCNg held a mass rally. Yet, they close schools. No wonder Nigeria is the world headquarters for extreme poverty? #BuhariTormentor
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) July 10, 2020
Some Nigerians also suggested the government looks to other alternatives to ensure these examinations take place just as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had done, such as computer-based examinations.
I totally understand the authorities concerns about the WAEC exams but,JAMB is now taking exams online. Why can’t we think outside the box and have that exam taken online over a longer period of time? This cancellation will set Nigeria back further by numerous years.
— Mazi Gburugburu (@Mazigburugburu1) July 10, 2020
Other individuals also jeered at the government for its decision, saying that it was no surprise they would cancel WAEC exams because President Muhammadu Buhari had “no WAEC certificate of his own”.
They'll miss WAEC this year because of your unpreparedness, next year WAEC will generate billions from this same set of students.
Only a man with WAEC result can feel what's like to miss WAEC exam and wait for a year.
— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) July 10, 2020
Buhari doesn't have a waec certificate, so he is working assiduously so that others won't have.
— DEMAGOGUE PhD.?senior advocat? (@von_Bismack) July 10, 2020
Because General @MBuhari does not have a WAEC Certificate, he wants to punish the whole country by depriving Nigerian youths of having their own WAEC certificates. He wants to spread illiteracy, so we can all be almajiri. Never! The cancellation of WAEC is evil!#BuhariTormentor
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) July 10, 2020
There’s still lingering hope that the government would reconsider their present position and find other viable options so Nigerian students can take progressive steps in their education, albeit small steps.
Toluwanimi Onakoya is a spirited writer, creative and videographer. Her biggest drive is to connect with people and depict tales using various forms of media.
Toluwanimi is available on Instagram and Twitter @nimi_onaks
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