Examination Hall Collapses on WASSCE Candidates in Taraba During Heavy Downpour
Dozens of students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Government Secondary School, Namnai, in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, narrowly escaped death on Wednesday evening when their examination hall collapsed during a downpour accompanied by a windstorm.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 6pm, shortly after the second batch of students had begun their exams. The old classroom structures, already weak, gave way under the force of the storm, trapping students, teachers, corps members, and external supervisors inside.
Swift Rescue by Local Residents
Residents rushed to the scene and were able to rescue the trapped individuals. Several students sustained injuries, including fractures, and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby Primary Healthcare Centre.
“Our children went to write exams and almost didn’t make it home alive. This is a serious call for the government to rebuild our schools before more lives are lost.”
— Alhaji DanAzumi Lauris, Community Leader
Students Stranded Overnight in Jalingo
In a related event, students in Jalingo, the state capital, also faced hardship due to the heavy rain. Many candidates were forced to remain at their examination centres until past 1am, as the roads became impassable.
Moreover, the delay in the arrival of WAEC exam papers meant that some students didn’t start their exams until 8pm. This disruption not only caused exhaustion but also increased anxiety among candidates already under pressure.
Call for Urgent Action
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of school infrastructure in rural areas. Stakeholders are urging the government to assess and renovate old school buildings to prevent future tragedies.
Attempts to reach the Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
This unfortunate event serves as a wake-up call to strengthen disaster preparedness and school infrastructure. Education should never put lives at risk.
