We didn’t cancel May/June 2020 exams, says WAEC

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has denied canceling its May/June 2020 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) due to COVID-19 outbreak.

Patrick Areghan, WAEC head in Nigeria, while addressing journalists on Sunday, said a notice circulating online and claiming the 2020 WASSCE was canceled didn’t emanate from the council.

He disclosed that the council only “announced a postponement until normalcy is restored.”

“Our attention has been drawn to a fake publication circulating in the social media to the effect that the WAEC has canceled the conduct of the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and was, therefore, set to refund N22,500 to candidates who had enrolled for the examination,” the council said.

“The publication is patently false and deceitful. It is nothing but the handiwork of mischief makers who are out to defraud innocent and unsuspecting candidates and their parents/guardians.

”This news is certainly not from the WAEC. It falls short of the council’s style, language, and factual details. To begin with, the fee for the examination is N13,950 only and not N22,500.

“WAEC, as an examining body in the sub-region, has not announced the cancellation of the examination.

“It only announced a postponement until normalcy is restored. WAEC couldn’t have made a mistake in the full meaning of its acronym.

“We wish to use this opportunity to reassure all registered candidates, schools, and other stakeholders that once the situation returns to normal, the council will come up with a new international timetable for the conduct of the examination in the West African sub-region.

“This will take effect after due consultations with relevant stakeholders. Candidates are, therefore, advised to disregard the publication and concentrate on studying hard for the examination.”

WAEC’s rebuttal comes as COVID-19 cases in the country continues to rise.

As of April 26, Nigeria has recorded 1182 confirmed cases with a total of 35 deaths from the disease.