WAEC Breaks Silence on Exam Delays, Reveals Three Officials Died in Tragic Crash

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has explained the circumstances behind the delay in the conduct of the Mathematics and Agricultural Science papers in some centres, revealing that a fatal road accident involving officials transporting sensitive examination materials contributed significantly to the disruption.

In a statement issued on Monday by the council’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC disclosed that three of its personnel lost their lives while conveying examination materials across states.

According to the examination body, the tragic incident severely affected its planned distribution schedule, forcing the activation of emergency contingency measures to ensure that the affected examinations were eventually conducted.

“The delay resulted partly from a devastating motor accident which claimed three personnel transporting sensitive examination materials interstate, severely disrupting our planned distribution schedule,” the statement read.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, WAEC said its staff worked tirelessly despite the loss of their colleagues to minimise the impact on candidates.

“While mourning our fallen colleagues, dedicated staff worked around the clock, deploying emergency arrangements that enabled the conduct of examinations across the affected areas,” the council stated.

Beyond the accident, WAEC attributed the delays to operational and logistical challenges, including the late registration of candidates and issues surrounding the finalisation of examination modalities, which affected the preparation of materials.

The council also cited security concerns and protests over the abduction of schoolchildren in some areas, saying these developments disrupted movement and delayed the delivery of examination materials to several centres.

Despite the setbacks, WAEC assured candidates and stakeholders that additional measures have been put in place to guarantee the smooth conduct of the remaining papers.

“The council has put effective measures in place to ensure remaining examinations proceed smoothly, as demonstrated by the improved conduct recorded on June 5,” it said.

WAEC also expressed appreciation to the Federal and State Ministries of Education, security agencies, and other stakeholders for their support during the challenging period, describing them as dependable partners in delivering credible examinations.

The examination body reaffirmed its commitment to upholding academic standards, maintaining the integrity of its examinations, and ensuring excellence in its operations.