Kwara Students May Miss WAEC, NECO Exams As Bandit Threats Force School Closures

Thousands Of Kwara Students May Miss WAEC, NECO Exams As Bandit Threats Force School Closures

Thousands of secondary school students across several communities in Kwara North and parts of Kwara South risk missing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the forthcoming National Examination Council (NECO) examination following prolonged school closures triggered by worsening insecurity in the areas, SaharaReporters has learned.

Findings by SaharaReporters revealed that schools in vulnerable rural communities were abruptly shut after rising fears of attacks and kidnappings forced residents to restrict movement, leaving students unable to complete crucial examination registration processes.

One of the affected communities is Ara in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, where academic activities have been paralysed amid growing security concerns.

Community sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on Sunday evening said the sudden closure of schools by the state government had disrupted ongoing online registration and biometric capturing required for WAEC.

According to the sources, many students who had already paid examination fees are now stranded without clear communication from school authorities.

“The students were about to start biometric capturing when the schools were suddenly shut. Now students don’t even know what will happen next,” a community member told SaharaReporters.

“The government has ordered all schools to reopen but you know a few weeks back we received a threat from the bandits that they would attack us. This is why many of the schools in Kwara South are not opening. No teacher wants to risk their life,” the source said.

“Many parents have already paid for WAEC and NECO, but the students have not been briefed on any alternative arrangement about their registration. There is confusion everywhere.”

The source added that uncertainty surrounding whether examinations would eventually be held in rural schools has forced families with financial means to relocate their children to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

“Parents who can afford it have started moving their children to Ilorin to complete registration because nobody is certain if exams will be held here again. Those who cannot afford relocation are the ones suffering most,” the source said.

Another resident from Ifelodun local government area of the state described the tense atmosphere, noting that fear has gripped residents following reports of armed groups operating within nearby forests.

“We are living in fear every day. People are afraid to move around freely, and children cannot go to school. Education has completely stopped here,” the resident said.

Residents also alleged that security presence in the community has been inconsistent, leaving locals feeling exposed.

“Security operatives come occasionally, but they are not stationed here permanently. Sometimes they move to neighbouring communities facing similar threats, and we are left on our own,” the source told SaharaReporters.

“This is why it is not yet safe for the schools to open fully. Nobody wants to risk the lives of their children,” the source added.

Parents expressed frustration that students preparing for national examinations have been the worst affected by the disruption.

“Our children were asked to come for thumbprinting and biometric capturing, but because of insecurity and the school closure, they couldn’t go. Now their future is uncertain,” a parent said.

SaharaReporters gathered that similar disruptions are affecting several rural communities in Kwara North and Kwara South, where rising insecurity has forced schools to suspend activities indefinitely.

Some teachers reportedly advised students preparing for the examinations to relocate to safer areas, particularly Ilorin, where schools remain operational.

However, many families say relocation is financially impossible.

“Not every parent has relatives or money to send their children to Ilorin. Many students are now stranded and may miss these examinations entirely,” another parent told SaharaReporters.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from Kwara State Commissioner of Education, Lawal Olohungbebe, were unsuccessful, as he has not responded to messages sent to him on WhatsApp seeking his comment on the developments.