The West African Examinations Council has attributed the delay in the administration of the 2025 English Language examination to intensified efforts aimed at combating examination malpractice.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the examination body acknowledged the disruption experienced by candidates during Paper 2 of the English Language exam.
This year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates began on April 24 and is expected to wrap up on June 20, 2025.
Although the English Language paper was initially slated for May 28, it ended up being administered several hours behind schedule in multiple centres across the nation.
This unexpected delay forced many candidates to sit for the paper late into the night, prompting widespread frustration among students.
WAEC explained that its proactive measures to prevent question paper leaks led to logistical complications that interfered with the timely execution of the exam.
“While we succeeded in safeguarding the examination materials, this inadvertently affected the timeliness and smooth execution of the process,” WAEC’s spokesperson Moyosola Adesina told TheCable.
The examination council also highlighted additional reasons behind the delay, including logistical hurdles, security-related challenges, and sociocultural issues.
It assured that it is collaborating with security agencies to prevent a recurrence of such setbacks.
Apologising to candidates, schools, and parents, WAEC expressed gratitude to all parties for their patience and support during what it described as a “challenging period.”
The council further reiterated its dedication to maintaining the integrity of its examinations and fostering academic excellence in the region.
“We understand the importance of conducting examinations on schedule, and recognise the impacts delays have on candidates, their schools, and their families,” Adesina added.
