Outcry as Imo pupils sit for examinations in darkness after delays

Primary school pupils in Imo State endured darkness as they sat for mandatory First School Leaving Certificate and Common Entrance examinations on Friday. The exercise dragged beyond 7 p.m. in several centers across the state, prompting parents to demand the dismissal of officials from the state Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

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whoever is in charge of Common Entrance Examination and First Leaving School Certificate Examination in Imo State; whether the Commissioner for Education or whoever should be sacked. They are incompetent and unorganized. Pupils still taking local exams till 6:30pm. Shame to the organizers

Pupils were required to complete both examinations on the same day, leading to extended hours. The examinations, which are qualifying tests for secondary school admission, were scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. However, heavy rainfall reportedly delayed the distribution of examination materials to various centers.

Parents waiting for their children expressed shock, with many question papers not arriving until 4 p.m. At Shell Camp Primary School and other centers, parents waited in cars, shops, and makeshift shelters, or stood in the rain. "Whoever is in charge of Common Entrance Examination and First Leaving School Certificate Examination in Imo State; whether the Commissioner for Education or whoever should be sacked. They are incompetent and unorganized," wrote one parent on Facebook.

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Imo State educational system is zero. 8pm, children that left their homes before 8:am amidst the heavy rain are still out in the cold writing FSLC exam that was scheduled to hold before now ( The exam was moved twice )

According to parents, the only explanation for the delay was the late arrival of question papers and answer booklets. At Shell Camp Primary School, one parent alleged insufficient question papers forced pupils to share copies or write in batches. "It’s a huge failure of the system," the parent, who spoke anonymously, stated, highlighting the psychological trauma and exhaustion endured by the children.

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can you imagine the psychological trauma under which these children less than 12 years have endured all day. They woke up early, entered the heavy rains to get to their centres amidst the cold. Many are hungry and exhausted but still have to write the exam as at 7pm. It’s a huge failure of the system.