WAEC DISTANCES ITSELF FROM LABOUR STRIKE, SAYS SCHEDULED EXAMS WILL HOLD
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced a statewide strike, and the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has disassociated itself from it.
After an unsuccessful four-hour meeting with the National Assembly leadership on Sunday evening in Abuja, the NLC and TUC announced a nationwide strike on Monday.
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination will continue as planned despite the nationwide strike, according to a statement released on Monday by the Head of National Officer, Branch Controller, WAEC, T.A.Y. Lawson, following the start of the industrial action.
“The attention of the management has been drawn to a notice of the commencement of the indefinite strike by NLC and TUC effective from Monday, 3rd June, 2024.
“Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled,” the statement noted in part.
According to the statement, the commission said that as much as it shared the concern of the unions and the generality of Nigerians, the exams would go on across the member countries of WAEC and the Nigerian child should not be put to a disadvantage of missing the exams.
“For the aforesaid reason, WAEC will conduct the exams and school principals, supervisors, parents and the general public should please take note and make adequate arrangements for their children to sit for the exam,” the statement added,
The list of subjects to be sat for on Monday include; Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative B), Computer Studies 3 (Practical), Insurance 2 (Essay), and Insurance 1 (Objective).
The labour unions had said the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 can no longer cater to the well-being of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act should be reviewed every five years to meet with contemporary economic demands of workers.