By Ken Afor
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Ekiti Branch Controller, Mrs. T.A.Y. Lawson, has assured that the planned nationwide strike by the organised labour scheduled for June, 3, 2024, will not disrupt the examinations across the country.
In a letter titled: “Notice of commencement of indefinite strike by NLC and TUC,” with reference number EK/BC/SC/EXAM/07/Vol.1/89, and addressed to principals and school proprietors in Ekiti State on Friday, May 31, Lawson confirmed that the exams will proceed as planned, despite the industrial action announced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The letter reads: “The attention of Management has been drawn to a notice of the Commencement of Indefinite Strike by NLC and TUC effective, Monday, 3rd June, 2024.
“Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled.”
Lawson emphasised that while WAEC understands and empathises with the concerns of the unions, it is crucial that students are not unfairly penalised by missing the ongoing examination in Nigeria and other West African countries.
“In as much as we share the concerns of the unions and the generality of Nigerians, the WASSCE SC is going on across the member Countries of WAEC and the Nigerian Child should not be put to a disadvantage of missing the exam.
“For the aforesaid reason, WAEC will conduct the exam and School Principals, supervisors, parents and the general public should please take note and make adequate arrangements for their candidates to sit the exam.
“Kindly be guided accordingly,” it concluded.
The New Diplomat reports that the NLC and the TUC had, on Friday, declared an indefinite nationwide strike to begin on Monday, June 1, in protest of the proposed new minimum wage.
The strike was declared in a joint statement signed the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and TUC President, Mr Festus Osifo, due to the tripartite committee’s inability to agree on a new minimum wage and the hike in electricity tariff.
