Kwara Students Face WAEC, NECO Exam Disruption Amid School Closures Over Insecurity
Thousands of secondary school students across Kwara North and parts of Kwara South are at risk of missing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the forthcoming National Examination Council (NECO) examinations. This crisis stems from prolonged school closures triggered by escalating insecurity in affected communities, with residents reporting constant fear and limited security presence.
Insecurity Forces School Shutdowns and Disrupts Academic Activities
Findings indicate that several schools in vulnerable areas have been forcefully shut as residents flee or restrict movement due to fears of terrorist attacks and kidnappings. One impacted community is Ara in the Oyun Local Government Area, where students have been unable to attend classes or complete examination registration processes because of security threats. Alhaja Rasheedat Ishola, a resident, described the tense atmosphere, noting that residents live in constant fear after a threatening letter allegedly linked to terrorists was discovered in a local market.
She explained, "We don't have peace of mind in Ara. They said the terrorists are hiding in our bush. The security personnel we have here have been patrolling the whole community, but we still need more security." Security operatives are reportedly overstretched, responding to threats in neighbouring communities like Ilemona, leaving residents feeling exposed and schools closed for extended periods.
Families Struggle with Relocation for Exams Amid Financial Constraints
Similar situations are unfolding in multiple communities across Kwara North and Kwara South, where insecurity has disrupted academic activities, forcing parents to keep children at home. Teachers have advised students preparing for WAEC and NECO examinations to relocate to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where schools remain open and relatively secure. However, many families cannot afford this relocation, despite the risk of their children missing critical examinations.
A parent from Kwara North stated, "Teachers told some students to move to Ilorin if they want to continue registration and exams, but not every parent has the money or relatives there. Many students are now stranded." Residents link this disruption to a broader wave of insecurity spreading across parts of Kwara State, particularly in rural communities bordering forest areas where armed groups operate.
Calls for Government Action to Prevent Educational Setbacks
Community members warn that continued school closures could worsen educational setbacks already facing rural students. One resident emphasized, "If the government does not act quickly, many children will lose this academic year. Education is already suffering because parents are more concerned about safety than sending their children to school." Residents are urging both state and federal governments to deploy a more permanent security presence to affected communities to restore confidence and allow schools to reopen safely.
This situation follows a recent terrorist attack in Gidan Sani village near the Kwara NYSC Camp, where a woman and her two children were killed, highlighting the severe security challenges in the region. Authorities have linked such incidents to armed factions, underscoring the urgent need for intervention to protect students and ensure their academic futures are not jeopardized.
