The West African Examinations Council has abandoned its recently introduced 24-hour examination material distribution policy and returned to its traditional 48-hour delivery schedule following widespread disruptions during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
The decision comes amid mounting criticism over delays in the conduct of examinations across the country and the tragic death of three WAEC officials in a road accident while transporting examination materials.
The 24-hour distribution policy was reportedly introduced to curb examination malpractice and prevent the leakage of question papers.
However, the move sparked logistical challenges that left thousands of candidates waiting for hours before writing their papers.
Several examination centres across the country recorded late arrivals of question papers, forcing some students to sit for examinations under poor conditions late into the evening.
In some cases, candidates reportedly wrote papers under inadequate lighting after prolonged delays.
Findings revealed that WAEC’s traditional operational framework allowed a 48-hour window between the printing of question papers and their delivery to designated custody centres nationwide.
The arrangement was designed to accommodate security concerns, poor road infrastructure and the long distances involved in transporting sensitive examination materials.
However, following concerns over examination leakages recorded in previous years, the council reportedly reduced the distribution period to 24 hours in a bid to tighten security around the movement of examination materials.
The strategy, sources said, placed enormous pressure on logistics personnel, many of whom were compelled to travel long distances within a limited timeframe.
The situation was further complicated by deteriorating road conditions and security challenges along major routes.
Insiders familiar with the operations described the shortened distribution period as impractical, noting that it significantly increased the risk of delays and operational failures.
Following the difficulties experienced during the ongoing examination, WAEC has reportedly restored the 48-hour distribution model to ensure smoother delivery of materials and improve the conduct of the remaining papers.
The policy reversal comes days after a fatal road crash claimed the lives of three WAEC officials in Gombe State.
The victims, identified as Eleshin Dennis Olayinka, Dan-Malam Add’ua Muhammed and Yusuf Umar Gwamna, were said to have been transporting examination materials along the Gombe-Yola Road when their vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with an oncoming trailer in Billiri Local Government Area.
The three officials reportedly died instantly from injuries sustained in the crash.
The incident was said to have affected the morale of other field workers involved in the distribution of examination materials, with some reportedly expressing concerns about the risks associated with the assignment.
In an internal condolence message, the Head of National Office of WAEC Nigeria, Dr Amos Dangut, described the loss as painful and devastating.
He said the deaths underscored the sacrifices and dangers faced by council personnel in the discharge of their duties, while extending condolences to the bereaved families.
Education stakeholders have since called for a comprehensive review of WAEC’s logistics and security arrangements, urging the examination body to strike a balance between safeguarding examination integrity and ensuring the safety of its workers and candidates.
The ongoing WASSCE has attracted nationwide attention following complaints from parents, school administrators and education experts over delays that disrupted examination schedules and affected students’ preparedness.