Reps demand WAEC national head’s appearance, reject delegation
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies turned away a delegation from the West African Examinations Council on Friday.
The lawmakers said only the Head of WAEC’s National Office can answer questions about problems in the ongoing exams.
The committee gave WAEC 24 hours to comply with their order and appear before them.
The WAEC team, led by Senior Assistant Registrar, Ambrose Okelezo, said the Head of National Office was busy supervising exam printing and could only come on Monday.
Committee Chairman, Oforji Oboku, apologised to parents for the “unpalatable and embarrassing incidents” during the exams.
He said, “In Jalingo, the exam started at midnight.
“The trauma these children faced is hard to imagine. We must find out why this happened and make sure it never happens again.”
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He added, “WAEC must organise exams properly since the government pays for it. We want answers, not excuses.”
Okelezo said the Head of National Office had met with other officials to plan how to fix the problems.
He asked to appear on Monday to explain fully. However, committee members were not satisfied.
Hon. Awaji Abiante angrily said, “He just told us he is not the right person to speak. Then why is he here? People in my village wrote exams at 12 a.m. or 1 a.m. Their question papers were even left with commercial drivers! This is incompetence.”
He also questioned the plan for computer-based tests, saying many schools lack computers and the knowledge to use them.
The committee chairman urged calm and said, “We want to deal with this seriously but not emotionally. The Head of WAEC will come on Monday as promised.”
Other members agreed that only the Head of WAEC can properly answer their questions.
Hon. Pascal Agbodike said, “Education is very important. We must wait for the Head to appear and then discuss.”
Osawaru added, “This is a national embarrassment. We must be careful and not accept anyone but the top person. I move that we do not listen to the WAEC deputies today and wait for the Head to come.”
The motion was agreed on, and the committee gave the Head of WAEC until 2pm on Monday to appear before them.
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