WAEC postpones examination indefinitely over coronavirus

The 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has been postponed indefinitely over fears of coronavirus.

Patrick Areghan, Nigeria’s head of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the body saddled with the conduct of the examination, announced this in a statement on Friday.

He said the examination will no longer commence on April 6 as scheduled as a result of coronavirus.

Areghan explained that the decision was part of the organisation’s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by the government.

He said the examination timetable would be reviewed after the situation improves.

“The West African Examinations Council in Nigeria, nay, the West African sub-region, has decided to put on hold the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates, 2020, earlier scheduled to commence on April 6, 2020,” the statement read.

“This is as a result of the impact of the novel and deadly Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the serious implications it has for the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates, 2020, coupled with the anxieties it has generated among the populace.

“This decision is a demonstration of the organisation’s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria and the governments of the other member countries to check the spread of the disease.”

Nigeria is one of the 27 African countries to have confirmed cases of coronavirus.

The country has recorded 12 cases of the virus with suspected cases undergoing quarantine.

Globally, the number of recorded coronavirus cases is over 252,000.

The outbreak has led to several decisions by governments in the form of measures to limit the spread of the disease.

Such measures include border closure, airport shutdown, travel bans, school closure, and suspension of congregational prayers.