Concerns Arise Over Exam Conditions for West African High School Students
In a troubling turn of events, candidates preparing for the 2026 West African High School Certificate Examination faced significant challenges during the Agricultural Science Practical Examination. Reports indicate that many students were forced to take the exam late at night, relying on lanterns and the dim light of mobile phone flashlights due to a lack of electricity.
Footage shared by sources reveals students struggling to complete their papers in near darkness, raising alarm among parents about both the integrity of the examination process and the safety of the candidates. The disturbing scenes have ignited a broader conversation about the logistical challenges facing students during critical assessments.
Reverend SO Solarin, a local clergyman, has publicly criticized the delays in distributing examination materials. He warned that prolonged waiting times not only jeopardize the exam’s quality but also expose students to heightened security risks amid the ongoing threats from kidnappings and violent attacks in various regions.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, Solarin highlighted that some candidates had to wait for several hours before receiving their exam papers, forcing them to remain in the exam hall well beyond their scheduled times. He expressed deep concern over this situation, particularly considering the escalated security issues in the country.
“Students are being held in exam centers late into the night without a clear explanation,” Solarin stated. He urged the West African Examinations Council to provide clarity regarding these delays to parents, schools, and the communities affected.
This is not the first instance of such issues; a May 2025 report by The Punch revealed that candidates had experienced similar challenges while taking English papers, also utilizing lanterns and phone flashlights due to power outages in examination venues.
As this situation unfolds, significant questions remain about the administration of standardized examinations and the government’s responsibility in ensuring a safe, fair, and conducive testing environment for students across the region.
