The Federal Government has said that it has held a meeting with the West African Examination Council over the possibility of shifting the 2020 West African Secondary School Certificate Examination forward.
WAEC had announced August 4 to September 5 as the new date following COVID-19 disruptions.
Although the FG initially bought the idea, it later, through the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, concealed resumption and participation in the exam.
This has generated a controversy but the government, through the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, on Friday said it had held a meeting with the examiners.
He said in a statement signed by the Ministry of Education’s Director of Information, Ben Goong, ”We met with WAEC on Monday and have agreed to further consult with four other countries on a new examination date. We appreciate the concern shown by all stakeholders and note the divergent views expressed on the matter.
He also gave school managements 12 days to make their school COVID-19-protection compliant.
“Consultations with relevant stakeholders will be held to review the situation and decide on a specific date for reopening or otherwise.
“Furthermore, the Minister said, having taken the painful but necessary decision not to reopen schools without necessary preparations to ensure the safety of students and teachers, the Federal Ministry of Education has continued consultations with stakeholders, and a mechanism to assess and monitor compliance shall be put in place,” the statement said