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WASSCE apologises for delay
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Delay anger concerned parents nationwide
By Gabriel Dike
SS3 students on Wednesday wrote English Language in the ongoing May/June 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) late in the evening.
The English Language 2 (Essay) is meant for two hours, from 8.30 am to 10.30 am, while English Language 1 (Objective) is for one hour (10.30 am to 11.30 am).
The students were kept for hours with no explanations from the council about the delay.
At about 7.45 pm, many SS3 students were seen going home after writing the examination in the evening in Lagos and other states.
Initially, the management of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) kept mute about the development when Daily Sun sought their reaction at 8.00 pm on Wednesday.
The writing of English Language papers 1 and 2 late in the evening appears to be a nationwide development.
A Daily Sun correspondent in Maiduguri called at about 8.28 pm to relate his findings.
He disclosed that SS3 students wrote English Language late in Borno State.
“Many of the students are currently in the streets heading home this night. Many worried parents also stormed their wards’ schools to find out what went wrong,” he noted.
Reports from other states indicate similar trends, as students were seen returning late from their schools.
In Lagos, some parents besieged schools only to discover their wards were still writing English Language.
In a late-night statement, WAEC management acknowledged the challenges currently being faced with the conduct of WASSCE for school candidates, including the delay in the timely conduct of English Language paper 2, which was taken on Wednesday.
The statement, titled “Re: Delayed Conduct of English Language for WASSCE for School Candidates 2025” and signed by the acting Public Affairs Officer of WAEC, Mrs Moyosola Adesina, was sent to media houses at 11.26 pm, four hours after Daily Sun sought the council’s reaction.
“While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper. While we successfully achieved our objective, it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.
“Despite our efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns, and sociocultural factors that negatively influenced our operations. In order to forestall future occurrences of this nature, the council is currently collaborating with security agencies.
“We recognise the importance of the timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on the candidates, their schools, and parents, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.
“The West African Examinations Council appreciates the understanding and support of all stakeholders during this period. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards in the conduct of examinations and shall continue to promote academic excellence,” the council explained.
Last week, students in Delta State used candles to write one of the subjects, and this triggered anger amongst parents and stakeholders.