The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies rejected a team from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Friday.
The lawmakers stated that only the head of WAEC’s national office may answer queries about problems with the ongoing examination. The committee gave WAEC 24 hours to comply with its order and appear in front of them.
The WAEC team, led by Senior Assistant Registrar Ambrose Okelezo, stated that the Head of National Office was busy supervising exam printing and could only arrive on Monday.
Oforji Oboku, the committee’s chairman, apologised to parents for the “unpalatable and embarrassing incidents” that occurred during the tests.
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.”
He added, “WAEC must organise exams properly since the government pays for it. We want answers, not excuses.”
Okelezo stated that 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. He recognised the delays and other difficulties in the tests.
However, committee members were dissatisfied.
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 proposal for computer-based assessments, claiming that many schools lack computers and the skills required to operate 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 lawmakers agreed that only the head of WAEC can properly answer their questions.
Hon. Pascal Agbodike stated, “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 lawmakers agreed on the motion, and the committee gave the head of WAEC until 2pm on Monday to appear before them.
