JUST IN: WAEC suspends 2020 examination over coronavirus

The West African Examinations Council - WAEC has announced the postponement of the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination over the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the NCDC and Worldometer, Nigeria has a total of 12 coronavirus cases as of March 20.

This is coming after the Federal Government ordered the closure of all schools in the country due to safety reasons.

WAEC made this known in a statement on Friday stating that the examination has been suspended until further notice.

The statement quoted WAEC Nigeria’s Head of National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, as saying that the examination scheduled to begin April 6, 2020, was postponed as a result of coronavirus pandemic.

Areghan said the timetable for the examination would be reviewed after the coronavirus pandemic situation improves.

The statement read, “The West African Examinations Council in Nigeria, nay, the West African sub-region, has decided to put on hold the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates, 2020, earlier scheduled to commence on April 6, 2020.

“This is as a result of the impact of the novel and deadly Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the serious implications it has for the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates, 2020, coupled with the anxieties it has generated among the populace.

“This decision is a demonstration of the organisation’s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria and the governments of the other member countries to check the spread of the disease.”