Fears Mount Over NECO Exams As #EndSARS Protests Disrupt Timetable
Material distributions on hold
New dates for examination
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – With the ongoing #EndSARS protests yet to abate across the country, stakeholders are expressing fears about the fate of National Examination Council (NECO)-organized examinations for Senior Secondary students.
Already, the Council has rescheduled its paper one Computer Studies practicals to Monday, November 16, 2020 due to the nationwide #EndSARS protests. The SSCE examination paper was originally scheduled for Monday, October 19, 2020.
Insider sources hinted that the anxiety among stakeholders is further heightened by the need to ensure the safety of students taking part in this nationally-organised examination.
The sources stated that the worrying signs are already emerging with Lagos State government ordering the immediate closure of all schools from Tuesday, October 20, 2020 to avert any untoward developments arising the protests.
According to the insiders, it would be absolutely impossible to continue with the initial timetable in the event that other states where the protests have taken serious roots decide just tow the same path as Lagos for obvious security reasons
On Sunday, October 18, 2020, the Head, Information and Public Relations Division of NECO, Mr Azeez Sani, had in a statement issued in Abuja explained that the Exams body took the painful decision of rescheduling the computer science practicals following the unavoidable disruptions of its materials distribution by the protesters’ action.
The statement said: “This is to inform the general public and especially candidates; that the NECO has been constrained to reschedule the Paper one Computer Studies Practicals earlier scheduled to take place on October 19, to November 16.”
It further explained that: ”This unforeseen incident has been caused by the #EndSARS protest; that blocked the free movement of transport at the City entrance gate Benin.
“The NECO delivery truck had left its take-off point well in advance on Friday, October 16, earlier to deliver examination materials to some states; and has been held up in the blockage since then.
“The Council wishes to assure all stakeholders and the general public that the affected examination materials have been retrieved and are intact.”
In regretting any inconveniences the new development may cause all stakeholders, NECO pleaded for understanding, saying the decision was informed by the need to maintain the integrity and security of its examinations procedures.
However, it is yet to be seen if the Council will reschedule and adjust the whole examinations timetable even as #EndSARS protests escalate across the country.
