The Imo State Government is facing intense scrutiny over its alleged failure to conduct crucial examinations, including the Basic Education Certificate, Common Entrance, and Junior West Africa Examination Certificate (WAEC).
It was gathered that the state ministry of education has not conducted the 2023/2024 Basic Education Certificate (BCE), formerly First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), and Common Entrance Examinations, into junior secondary school.
It was learnt that these examinations are taken between June and July of every academic year preceding a new academic
This has been generating concerns among parents and guardians who noted that the 2023/2024 academic year has ended and the 2024/2025 academic year will soon commence by September 2024 and wondered why the state Ministry of Education had not conducted the compulsory Basic Education Certificate/First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) Examinations for primary six pupils and common entrance that will allow their wards enrol in the secondary school.
The investigation further showed that for 12 years, the ministry had not issued the first school leaving certificate for primary six pupils who had completed their course of study.
A whistleblower, Chinoso Uba who raised the alarm, said that Imo pupils who have completed their basic primary education are currently in a dilemma because they won’t be gaining admission into secondary school by September 2024.
He said: “The inability of Imo State government to conduct the compulsory Basic Education certificate (BCE) formerly First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), and Common Entrance Examinations, which are prerequisite to gaining admission into Secondary school in the country has thrown parents and their wards in dilemma.
Uba, who is also Imo State Chairman, National Youth Alliance (NYA), called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector in Imo.
He also alleged that the state did not conduct the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) otherwise known as Junior WAEC for the 2023/2024 academic session.
“Since 2020, Imo state has continued to record terrible results in WASSCE and NECO. A state that once prided itself in academic exploits and excellence is now a laughing stock in the Nigeria academic circle,” he alleged.
