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Nationwide Strike: WAEC Appeals For Exemption Over 2024 WASSCE
Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of the Nigeria National Office West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has made an earnest plea for an exemption from the ongoing strike led by organised labour.
Nation Post reports that organized labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), commenced a nationwide strike today, Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage to N60,000.
However, Dangut said the call for WAEC’s exemption is crucial to ensure that the council can successfully conduct the West African Senior School Certificate Examination without any disruptions.
The WASSCE, which began on April 30, is scheduled to conclude on June 24, 2024.
During an interview with The PUNCH, Dr Dangut expressed empathy towards Nigerian workers and acknowledged their grievances.
However, he emphasized that denying the candidates the opportunity to write and complete the ongoing WASSCE would put them at a significant disadvantage on a global scale.
“You and I are facing a difficult situation. We appreciate the suffering everyone is going through. The state of the country is known to all; it is indeed pathetic. At WAEC, we are not isolated from these challenges.
“Today, we talk about globalisation. If our children do not write the exams to fit into a global scenario, they will be at a major disadvantage. Our cause is just—workers are asking for improvements in their conditions.
“Unfortunately, the world will not understand the problems we are facing if we don’t allow our children to write their exams. If our children miss their exams while others in different parts of the country do not, will anyone give them admission because there was a strike?” he said.
Dangut urged all parties involved to collaborate in establishing a conducive atmosphere for the exams to run smoothly and for the country to effectively administer the WASSCE.
He said, “Let us allow our children to take the exams so they can compete with other children worldwide. We share the pains of the workers, but for the sake of our children, we must allow them to write the exams. We are appealing to the public for the sake of these children. Let us not compound their problems.
“Please, let’s allow them to write the exams. If the teacher who is supposed to open the exam hall doesn’t come, or if the gatekeeper refuses to open the gate, it is an appeal to help these children.
“We have a mandate to conduct exams and we are prepared, but we need an enabling environment.”
