The Oyo State Government has insisted that students in the state will partake n the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) this year despite the Federal Government’s withdrawal.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had on Wednesday hinted that the country may not participate in the regional WASSCE exams this year due to the coronavirus.
This was a U-turn from the earlier stance of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 which fixed August 3 and September 5 as dates for the conduct of the 2020 examinations.
Mr. Adamu also announced a reversal from the planned resumption of schools.
However, Oyo, which opened its doors for students on Monday, says it is still assessing the situation.
Speaking with journalists in his office, on Thursday, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, noted that the state’s schools remained open with students in SSS3 continuing preparation for WASSCE.
Olaleye added that the state is watching out for the reaction of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
While acknowledging that WASSCE was a critical part of education for all students in the state, Olaleye pointed out that the state will make its position known based on its assessment of the prevailing situation.
“I listened to the federal minister of education and he was emphatic about FG schools. We have resumed in Oyo state and you must have seen the level of compliance to COVID-19 protocols by our schools,” he said.
“If you go to our schools, you will see that our senior students are still learning and the preparation for WAEC is ongoing.
“Examination is part of educational development. So the state government will assess the situation especially because of the fact that WAEC is an integral part of educational development hence it cannot be ignored.
“WAEC is a regional examination that involves five countries so we are waiting for the reaction of WAEC. The state government will then assess the situation.”
