Group: If government can conduct elections, students should take exams

OpenFees, a non-governmental organisation, has asked the federal government to make provisions for final year students to resume school and take their examinations. 

Schools have remained shut since March when the government ordered a total lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. But the lockdown was eased in June while schools and worship centres remained shut. 

But despite the pandemic, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continued to make plans for the elections in Edo and Ondo states, scheduled for September and October, respectively.

In a statement on Sunday, OpenFees said since elections will hold following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, it should also be possible for final year students to take their exam. 

“Science, technology and rigorous enforcement of hygiene and social distancing rules are already making it possible for schools elsewhere to reopen gradually and there is no reason why we can’t use that here,” the statement read. 

“We are particularly concerned that JSS 3 and SS 3 students in public schools, most of whom have not had significant learning, because of poor access to online resources would have to wait for another year before taking their final exams.

“If the government can invest half the time and resources it wants to use to conduct elections, in spite of COVID-19, to provide a safe environment for students, it should be possible for these final year students to take their exams without too much difficulty.”

The group said though the federal government had said it would consult with the four other West African countries and possibly hold the WAEC examination in September, “there remains a heavy cloud of uncertainty and doubt over the government’s commitment.”