The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has assured the public that the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will continue despite the impending nationwide strike announced by Nigeria’s major labour unions.
In an internal memo addressed to school principals participating in the 2024 WASSCE, WAEC confirmed that the examination will proceed as scheduled, unaffected by the proposed strike.
The statement, signed by the Ekiti Branch Controller of WAEC National Office, emphasized the importance of ensuring that Nigerian students are not disadvantaged by missing the exam.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by the unions and the Nigerian public, WAEC reiterated its commitment to conducting the examination across member countries.
The examination body urged school principals, supervisors, parents, and the general public to make necessary arrangements for candidates to sit for the exam.
Responding to queries regarding the memo, WAEC’s spokesperson clarified that the communication was intended for stakeholders and not for public consumption. She emphasized that WAEC was making a passionate appeal for understanding, stressing the importance of prioritizing the future of Nigerian children.
Meanwhile, the impending strike, directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), is expected to disrupt various sectors, including schools, hospitals, and airports.
The strike aims to pressure the government to agree on a new minimum wage and review electricity price hikes.
The unions’ demand for a higher minimum wage, initially set at N600,000 but later adjusted to N494,000, has met resistance from the government, which warns of potential economic instability.