Amid condemnation from many Nigerians and a member of the opposition, the Nigerian government has defended its decision not to allow students in the country to take part in the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) this year.
Decision by the government last week in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, clarified the decision of the government. He said the government was concerned about the spread of COVID-19 if the West African Examination Council (WAEC) would allow the students to gather for the exams.
Opposition leader Atiku Abubakar and House of Representatives have criticized the stance with lawmakers urging the government to rescind the decision.
However, on Wednesday, the federal government reiterated its stance but said it had met stakeholders on the matter.
“We are still meeting with parents over the decision of the ministry,” the minister of state for education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, told journalists after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.
“What the minister (Mr Adamu) said reflects the true position of the ministry; we are not confident yet that everywhere is safe. The numbers from the NCDC are still alarming and we have put this before parents and all the stakeholders in the education ecosystem, we are still meeting with them. In fact, there’s a stakeholders’ meeting convened for Monday.
“WAEC on its own part is also negotiating with other West African countries to look at possible shift in date. Once they are through with that meeting and hopefully when we are through with the consultation with stakeholders, if there’s any change in the ministry’s position, we will communicate.
“But as it stands, the position of the Honourable Minister, as communicated to you last week, remains the position of the ministry until further evidence to the contrary or further agreements that may alter those arise,” Mr Nwajiuba said.
