The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Tuesday, disclosed that the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for secondary school candidates will not hold during the usual May/June period this year.

Patrick Areghan, the council’s Head of National Office (HNO), said this while announcing the release of results of the 2021 first series of the WASSCE for private candidates in Lagos, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Areghan, while speaking, lamented the effect of COVID-19 pandemic in the education sector.

He noted that education calendar has been distorted by COVID-19, therefore, the council may not be possible to conduct the examination as scheduled.

“Let me use this opportunity to dispel rumours being peddled about by some people regarding the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates, 2021”, he said.

“The effect of the COVID-19 is still very much felt in the education sector and this has taken its toll on the academic calendar in the country.

“It is, therefore, not going to be possible to have the examination in May/June this year.

“A convenient international timetable for the conduct of this examination will soon be released.

“To this effect, all stakeholders are, therefore, requested to keep their fingers crossed until they hear directly from WAEC”.

He then appealed to all proprietors and school principals to keep to the stipulated timelines for the enrolment of candidates for the examination.

He noted that it is important to re-emphasise the role of Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) in the computation of candidates’ results.

“All schools are advised to get this aspect of the registration process right, in order to make the entry processes seamless,” he added