School principals confused about Nigeria’s statement on 2020 WASSCE

*Federal, various state governments’ representatives at a meeting all reviewed safety measures to go ahead with exams ─ANCOPSS President

*News of government’s withdrawal shocking, confusing

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following Nigeria’s recent pronouncement in regard to reopening schools, colleges, and participating in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), principals of secondary schools nationwide under the guidance of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) have also expressed surprise over the announcement by Malam Adamu Adamu’s, Honourable Minister for Education on the issue Wednesday, July 8.

It is recalled that Malam Adamu had declared that all the SS3 students in all the 104 Federal Government colleges nationwide would not participate in the forthcoming WASSCE being conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The Minister had declared that the Federal Government’s schools, fondly called Unity Schools, would not reopen soon until it is safe to do so because of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

“Schools under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education will not reopen on August 4 or any time soon.

“Our schools will only open when we believe it is safe for our children and that is when the situation is right, not when the number of COVID-19 infection is going up in the nation.”

Adamu also emphasised “I just want to make that clear…. We will not reopen schools now for examinations or any other reason unless it is safe for our students.

“Even WAEC cannot determine for us what we do. So, schools will remain closed.”

However, ANCOPSS said that the association was fully represented at the recent education stakeholders’ meetings where they were all voluntarily agreed that WAEC could go ahead with its pending examinations in line with all safety guidelines and protocols.

Mr. Anselm Izuagie, National President of ANCOPSS, in an interview Thursday, July 9 noted that the sudden twist of events by the government is baffling them in connection with Adamu’s pronouncement on the proposed exams, reports Nigerian Tribune.

Both the Federal and various state governments were represented at the said meeting in which Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education was the Chairman.

“The representatives of WAEC, National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Board for Technical Education (NABTE), and other critical stakeholders in the sector were also in attendance.

“We all reviewed and considered the safety of everyone who would be involved in the exam and promised that all hands would be on deck to ensure no lapses are recorded only for the minister to announce the contrary the following day.

“That is why the news is shocking to us and also confusing.”

According to Izuagie, ANCOPPS will meet Friday with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to review the issue, take a position, and make it public thereafter.

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