There was a wave of anger and disappointment on Wednesday in Taraba State as students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination were forced to take their English paper late into the night, leaving examination centers around midnight.
The exam, originally scheduled for earlier in the day, was inexplicably postponed by the examination body, with the paper not starting until approximately 9:00 p.m.
No official statement was issued to explain the cause of the delay.
Teenage candidates appeared visibly drained, having waited in school for hours before finally writing the critical paper under intense pressure and stress.
Despite the heavy rainfall, anxious parents and school proprietors were left with no choice but to transport their children and students to examination venues at an hour when most would typically be asleep.
One school proprietor, speaking to Vanguard, confirmed that her students didn’t complete the paper until midnight.
She expressed serious concern about the physical and emotional impact of the ordeal on the young candidates.
“As teenagers, they needed to be well-fed and in the right frame of mind to write such a critical paper. I had to take full responsibility for their welfare,” she said.
Lamenting the poor coordination by the exam authorities, the proprietor revealed that she had to personally brave the night rain to ensure the exam went ahead.
“I had to buy 30 litres of fuel to power the generator so the hall would be properly lit. This wasn’t part of our plan or budget, and we hope it doesn’t happen again.”
According to Vanguard’s findings, while some students managed to return home shortly after midnight, others, unable to do so, had to spend the night within school premises.
The event has sparked serious criticism from parents and educators alike, with many demanding accountability from the West African Examinations Council and urging the body to prevent such a troubling scenario from recurring.
