EDITORIAL: JAMB, WAEC, Others Must Stop Traumatizing Our Children: Conduct Exams Without Suicide

BY TONY OKAFOR

The recent West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) incident, where students reportedly sat in darkness, starkly highlights the systemic failures plaguing Nigeria’s education sector.

This debacle follows closely on the heels of the JAMB examination glitches, which inflicted trauma on thousands of candidates and tragically led to a student’s suicide.

It is unconscionable that students, the future of our nation, are forced to endure such hardship while attempting to secure their future through critical national exams.

The lack of basic infrastructure and preparedness underscores the urgent need for reform.

To prevent such incidents, authorities must invest in well-maintained facilities, develop robust emergency response plans, and implement quality control measures to ensure accountability.

Relevant authorities must prioritize students’ welfare and dignity by establishing and enforcing minimum standards for all high-stakes national examinations, including adequate lighting, seating, and essential facilities.

Legislation should be enacted to provide candidates with a statutory right to claim adequate compensation for unconscionable treatment, ensuring fairness and justice.

Candidates deserve a safe, conducive, and well-resourced environment to showcase their knowledge and skills.

Authorities responsible for conducting exams must be held accountable for failures, with those responsible identified and sanctioned.

A timeline for reforms and a monitoring mechanism to track progress must also be established.

The future of our nation depends on the success and well-being of these young ones.

It is time for authorities to take their responsibilities seriously and provide necessary support for students to excel without undue hardship.

All stakeholders must work together to create a conducive learning environment that supports student success.