The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appealed to the Organised Labour for exemption from the ongoing nationwide strike.
The Head, WAEC National Office in Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut in making the appeal, explained that the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) which commenced on April 30 will end on June 24.
He further explained that disrupting the exams would put the Nigerian candidates at global risk.
Dr. Dangut, while speaking with journalists on Monday, emphasised the importance of allowing students to write the exams amidst the strike while urging the Organised Labour to consider the student’s future opportunities and global competitiveness.
“You and I are facing a difficult situation. We appreciate the suffering everyone is going through. The state of the country is known to all; it is indeed pathetic. At WAEC, we are not isolated from these challenges.
“Today, we talk about globalisation. If our children do not write the exams to fit into a global scenario, they will be at a major disadvantage. Our cause is just—workers are asking for improvements in their conditions.
“Unfortunately, the world will not understand the problems we are facing if we don’t allow our children to write their exams. If our children miss their exams while others in different parts of the country do not, will anyone give them admission because there was a strike?
“Let us allow our children to take the exams so they can compete with other children worldwide. We share the pains of the workers, but for the sake of our children, we must allow them to write the exams. We are appealing to the public for the sake of these children. Let us not compound their problems.
“Please, let’s allow them to write the exams. If the teacher who is supposed to open the exam hall doesn’t come, or if the gatekeeper refuses to open the gate, it is an appeal to help these children.
“We have a mandate to conduct exams and we are prepared, but we need an enabling environment,” he said.
