Night Exams Spark Concern As WAEC Candidates Leave Schools Late

According to Ireporter Online, the examination conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has faced repeated scheduling setbacks, raising fresh concerns among parents, school authorities and education stakeholders. Similar incidents were reportedly recorded in previous years, where candidates were made to write examinations close to midnight.

Checks across selected centres in Lagos, particularly on Lagos Island and parts of the Lekki axis, indicate that the delays worsened this week.

On Monday, Physics Papers 2 and 1, originally scheduled for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., reportedly did not commence on time, with some candidates said to have concluded the second paper around 8 p.m.

By Wednesday, candidates sitting for General Mathematics also experienced prolonged delays. The essay paper scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and the objective paper slated for 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., were reportedly not completed until about 10 p.m.

A school principal who spoke anonymously expressed concern over the recurring nature of the disruptions, questioning why similar challenges were still occurring despite previous experiences. He noted that such delays could have psychological effects on candidates who prepare for scheduled exam times but end up writing hours later.

A parent in Lekki also raised concerns about student welfare, stating that her child returned home around 10 p.m., describing the situation as distressing and unexpected.

Meanwhile, a WAEC official who spoke on condition of anonymity acknowledged the operational hitches, attributing them to unforeseen circumstances and assuring that efforts were underway to resolve the issues.

As of the time of filing this report, WAEC had yet to release an official public statement addressing the ongoing delays.