The Katsina State Government has officially petitioned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), calling for the cancellation of the 2024 WASSCE English Language Paper 2 held on May 28. The outcry comes after a chaotic and embarrassing nationwide delay that left students sitting for the crucial exam late into the night writing under candlelight and phone flashlights.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Zainab Musa-Musawa, delivered the strongly worded petition signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary to WAEC’s Katsina office on May 31. The state government condemned the appalling conditions under which the students were forced to write the paper, citing it as unfair, traumatic, and academically compromising.
In response, WAEC issued an apology, blaming the nationwide delay on last-minute efforts to prevent exam malpractice and question paper leaks. However, critics argue that the inconvenience and psychological stress on students far outweigh any justifications.