The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appealed to organised labour to consider students taking the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination as it plans an indefinite strike.
Amos Dangut, the head of WAEC’s National Office, made the request during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.
He stated that the council shared the concerns of organised labour and all Nigerian workers.
The majority of WAEC staff in Nigeria belong to either the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) or the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which has called for the strike to begin on Monday.
“The attention of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has been drawn to a notice of the commencement of an indefinite strike by NLC and TUC effective Monday, June 3.
“WAEC shares in the concerns of the generality of Nigerian workers, as most of its employees in Nigeria consist of members of both unions.
“It is also worthy of mention that the unions have always been partners with WAEC in the successful implementation of its mandate through the years.
“The examination commenced in Nigeria and other member-countries of WAEC, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, on April 30, and is scheduled to end by June 24.
“The week, June 3 to June 7, is scheduled for the conduct of such papers as Physics, Economics, Government and Civic Education across the federation and some West African countries,” the WAEC boss said.
According to him, any disruption in the activities and arrangements for the conduct of the examination will place candidates at a major disadvantage in their academic pursuits.
“We hereby appeal to all stakeholders and the unions to cooperate with the council, as always, to allow the continuous smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination as has been scheduled.
“We remain committed to excellence and the service of the Nigerian people within the mandate of the council,” he said.
