The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it is within the legitimate power of governments of the five-member countries to withdraw her students from participating in the regional examinations.
This comes in reaction to the federal government reversal of its earlier decision on resumption of schools across the country, and its earlier announcement of dates for the commencement of the 2020 May/June diet of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
PREMIUM TIMES, reports that the WAEC’s Head of Nigeria’s Office (HNO), Patrick Areghan, said the examination body was still reviewing the situation and that it would make its position known soon.
The HNO said he could not speak on whether the examinations would continue in the other four countries or not until the “coast is clear.”
He said; “We cannot make any categorical statement for now. We are operating in five-member countries and we cooperate with the government. We recognize the fact that the government has the right and power to take positions, and we cannot confront the government. We work hand in hand with the government.”
He, however, pledged to update the public as soon as final decisions are taken.
Nigeria’s minister of education, Adamu Adamu, had on Wednesday announced the reversal of the government’s earlier position on schools’ resumption, saying the atmosphere is yet unsafe for teaching and learning in the country.
Mr Adamu’s position was based on the rising cases of coronavirus diseases in the country, saying children would find it difficult to observe the required protocols including social distancing, to keep themselves safe if allowed to return to schools.
