UNKNOWN FATE OF STRANDED SCHOOL LEAVERS IN NIGERIA

In recent years government in several states in Nigeria have opted to help ease the sufferings of parents by paying the WASSCE (West African Seniour School Certificate Examination) registration fees. This has come as a great relief to parents who owing to the prevalent poverty ravaging the society find it extremely difficult to pay normal school fees. Some Nigerians have praised this initiative by the government while some others simply look at it as a simple avenue aimed at scoring cheap points to woo the electorates. Be that as it may, what was meant to bring solace to the people has become a herald of sorrow as many state governments have failed to keep to the promises made to WAEC the examining body. WAEC (West African Examination Council) had declared on Monday that a total of 19 states that entered into this registration agreement with them have failed to comply. This will no doubt give rise to numerous unforseen consequencies among which are: a. results will not be released, b. those students who met JAMB requirements for admissions into the universities will have to forfeit such admission, c. loss of an entire academic session and so on. One wonders why politicians should make such expensive promises they know will not be kept. Why ruin the chances of millions of vibrant Nigerian youths? It is therefore of grave importance to call on these 19 states governors to hearken to the plea and the plight of these youngsters by settling their scores with the examining body because as the saying goes, 'when two elephants fight, it is the grass and trees that suffer'.