The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) held students back in school on Wednesday, in Uvwie Local Government Area until between 10 pm and 11 pm, following reports that the English examination questions had been compromised and were circulating on social media.

It was gathered that WAEC officials had to travel to Benin-City, in neighbouring Edo State to collect reprinted question papers, which led to the delay, leaving schools and administrators with no other option than to ask students to wait indefinitely throughout the day.

Mr. Joseph, the Vice Principal of Mother of the Redeemer Catholic School, Effurun, described the situation as unfortunate, stating that the paper should have been canceled and rescheduled for a later date, preferably after the last official paper.

Students across Uvwie began writing the two-hour English theory paper between 7:30pm and 9:00pm, completing it between 9:00pm. and 10:00 pm on Wednesday night.

Some parents, who had gathered around school premises to pick up their wards, who typically return home on their own, expressed disappointment, citing concerns about insecurity. “For fear of insecurity, we had to come pick up our wards,” one parent said.

Exhausted students also voiced their frustration over the situation. “I left home in the morning without eating. I’ve only had an egg roll and zobo today,” one student shared. Another added, “I’m tired and hungry, and I have to return to school for tomorrow’s paper.”

Both school administrators and parents are calling on the government and WAEC administrators to initiate reforms that prioritize the welfare and security of students over exam logistics to prevent a recurrence of such an ordeal.