The West African Examinations Council, (WAEC) in Nigeria, says the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will commence in August and not May.
WAEC also debunked reports by some news platforms that it postponed the examination.
In a statement on Friday, the Acting Head, Public Affairs, Demianus Ojijeogu, said WAEC Nigeria Head, Patrick Areghan, was quoted out of context at a briefing last Tuesday when he announced the release of results of WASSCE for private candidates.
According to Ojijeogu, Areghan said the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic has distorted the academic calendars of schools, hence, it will be impossible for candidates to sit for the examination in May because most of the schools are still in their first term.
The statement titled, ‘Conduct Of WASSCE For School Candidates, 2021 In Nigeria’ stated that Areghan had at the Tuesday briefing said, “Let me also use this opportunity to dispel rumours being peddled about by some people regarding the conduct of WASSCE for School Candidates, 2021. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still very much felt in the education sector.
“The academic calendar has been distorted. It will, therefore, not be possible to have the examination in May/June this year. A convenient International Timetable for the conduct of the examination will soon be released.”
The statement added, “The arrangement is in line with the current academic calendar and was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
“Consequently, the Council wishes to inform schools, candidates and the general public that the examination will hold from August 16, 2021, to September 30, 2021. The International timetable for the conduct of WASSCE the examination will be released in due course.” He added.
PIAK
