“I Escorted My Students Home With a Cutlass at 9:20pm” — Teacher Slams WAEC Over Late-Night WASSCE Exams

Concerns over the conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) have intensified after a teacher revealed that he had to escort some students home with a cutlass following examination delays that kept candidates at centres until late at night.

The incident comes amid renewed criticism of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) over persistent logistical challenges that have disrupted the examination process in several parts of the country.

Reports indicate that candidates in some examination centres across Lagos were forced to sit for papers well into the evening after delays in the delivery of examination materials. The situation reportedly left many students stranded at examination venues long after normal school hours, raising concerns about their safety and welfare.

Reacting to the development, a teacher recounted how he accompanied some candidates home after their examination ended around 9:20 p.m.

"I escorted some of my students to their house while holding a cutlass by 9:20 pm," he wrote in a comment on X.

The remark has sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning why secondary school students were compelled to remain at examination centres until late at night.

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Education stakeholders and parents have also expressed concern over the potential risks associated with conducting examinations after dark, particularly in areas where candidates may have to travel long distances to reach their homes.

The latest incident has revived memories of similar disruptions during the 2025 WASSCE, when delays in the distribution of examination materials reportedly forced some candidates to write papers until midnight in certain centres.

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Critics argue that the recurring challenges point to deeper logistical shortcomings that require urgent attention from WAEC to prevent future occurrences.

The examination body has recently attributed some of the delays experienced during the ongoing examination to logistical difficulties. However, calls are growing for stronger contingency measures to ensure candidates are not exposed to unnecessary risks while sitting for critical national examinations.

As concerns continue to mount, stakeholders are urging WAEC to review its operational processes and prioritise the safety, welfare, and academic performance of candidates across the country.