The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that Nigerian students will not participate in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination scheduled between August 4 and September 5.
The Nigerian government said this as it put on hold its earlier decision to reopen federal schools.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu told State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council Meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari
The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, on Monday, announced that the 2020 WASSCE conducted by WAEC would hold between August 4 and September. The Minister disclosed this at the press briefing of the Presidential Trask Force for COVID-19 on Monday.
The PTF had earlier directed the reopening of schools for students in graduating classes of Primary six, Junior Secondary School three and Senior Secondary School 3 to enable them prepare for final examinations.
However, Adamu maintained on Wednesday that all federal schools will remain closed until they are safe for reopen.
He also advised state governments that have announced reopening of schools to rescind from doing so.
He added that WAEC could not determine the resumption date of schools for Nigeria.
He emphasized that he did “not mind Nigeria losing a whole school year than exposing our children to danger.”
Adamu added, “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 incidence of the infection is going up in the country. I just want to make it clear.
“We will not open soon for examination or for any reason unless it is safe for our children, even WAEC. WAEC will not determine for us what to do. Schools will remain closed.”
The Minister noted that WAEC announced examination date while government was still making consultation with stakeholders on what to do.
According to him, “I will also like to use this position to ask those states that have already announced (reopening), I appeal to them. I think it is not safe. I feel responsible for all children, not just those who are in Federal Government-controlled schools. Please let’s save our children from this.
