GCE
EXAMS: PROTEST LOOMS AS STUDENTS, PARENTS CALL FOR POSTPONEMENT
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HERE is tension in Edo ahead of the
September 10 governorship election, as students writing the General Certificate
of Education, GCE, examinations and their parents have vowed to stage a protest
over alleged refusal of security agents to exempt those writing the examination
from restriction of movement during the polls.
News men learnt that the WAEC had
written security agents to allow students participating in the examination
movement this Saturday but it was said that security agencies rejected the
request, explaining that it may jeopardise security arrangement for the
election.
Security agents are arguing that
allowing the students movement will give thugs the opportunity to disrupt the
election since most of the polling units to be used for the elections are in
the schools. It was learned that the authorities of the examination body are
now suggesting that the students may to travel outside Edo state to participate
in the examination, a suggestion the students and their parents are kicking
against due to the inconveniences it will cause them.
According to one of the parents, who craved
anonymity: “We are complaining that things are difficult they are now telling
us to take our children outside Edo state, where are we going to get the money
to keep them in a hotel and how are they going to read to review the paper they
have the next day? Or are they going to travel that same Saturday when there
will be no movement?
“It is a complicated situation which
the Federal government or even the INEC should look into because WAEC said they
cannot shift their exams just because one state is holding a governorship
election. So, if they have the interest of our children at heart, both INEC and
the Federal government should come together and shift the election in Edo state
so that the money we paid as parents will not be a waste.
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