West African Examinations Council officials blame exam delays on a deadly car crash. Three WAEC staff members died in the accident on June 3.
The 2026 WASSCE experienced serious disruptions across multiple testing centres. Thousands of candidates waited hours before sitting papers, with some writing into the night.
Moyosola F. Adesinaits, Head of Public Affairs, issued a statement on Monday.
She explained the council's position following days of public complaints.
Physics papers scheduled for Monday afternoon didn't start on time. Candidates reported waiting several hours before entering examination halls.
Wednesday's General Mathematics Objective paper created the worst chaos. Some centres began the exam at 6:30 p.m., while others started at 8:30 p.m.
Students remained in halls past 10:00 p.m. that evening. Poor lighting forced them to use torches and phone flashlights.
Social media videos showed the dire conditions. Candidates wrote exams using solar lamps and mobile phone lights as darkness fell.
WAEC's preliminary investigation identified the June 3 crash as a major culprit. Officials transporting sensitive examination materials died in the motor accident.
The council stated the tragedy directly caused distribution delays. Regional security challenges compounded the problem, it noted.
According to the statement: "This heartbreaking loss, coupled with prevailing regional security challenges, severely compromised our distribution schedule, which inadvertently led to the delayed start times."
Staff implemented emergency contingency measures despite the tragedy. WAEC said it worked tirelessly to ensure exams eventually proceeded.
Late candidate registration also hampered preparations. The council cited difficulties finalising the examination mode.
Security disruptions in certain areas blocked material movement. Protests over child abductions hindered transport efforts across regions.
WAEC acknowledged multiple operational obstacles beyond the fatal accident. Logistical challenges made timely preparation impossible in several instances.
The council apologised for the difficulties candidates faced. It promised to review procedures before future examination cycles.
Parents and education stakeholders have demanded accountability. Many questioned whether WAEC had adequate contingency plans.
Critics argue the council should have anticipated distribution risks. Others called for compensation or rescheduling for affected students.
WAEC remains under intense scrutiny from the public. Education authorities have indicated they'll monitor the council's response closely.
