Private school proprietors in Ogun State have raised concerns that stringent government conditions for West African Senior School Certificate Examination registration could prevent many students from participating in the May/June exams.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the proprietors warned that over 70% of private school students in the state could miss the exams if the issues are not addressed promptly. They said while schools in other states have largely completed registration with the West African Examinations Council, private schools in Ogun are facing challenges stemming from new compliance requirements.
A key point of contention is the mandatory requirement for students to have a Learner Identification Number (LIN) before registering for WASSCE.
“Though the LIN is usually issued when students enroll in any school in the state, there has been chaos with the online platform generating these numbers,” one proprietor said. “Some students whose names were previously registered can no longer find them. The government has also required SS3 students who transferred from other states to produce JSS3 certificates and term results from SS1 and SS2 before registration.”
The proprietors said meeting these requirements within the limited timeframe is impractical. “Even if we try to comply, the time is too short, and some students may not have the documents due to circumstances beyond their control. We are asking the government to postpone this policy, or more than 70% of private school students will miss the exams,” the proprietor said.
Another proprietor called the implementation timeline unrealistic, adding that WAEC registration deadlines have already been extended multiple times. “The governor should intervene and put this policy on hold until schools are given sufficient notice, possibly for next year,” he said.
School owners also cited technical issues with the platform, saying many students who previously had valid LINs are now unable to verify them. Despite this, the state has insisted that no student will be cleared for registration without proper validation.
In response, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Prof Abayomi Arigbabu said the policy is aimed at curbing examination malpractice and maintaining accurate data on students.
“Every student in the state is supposed to have a Learner Identification Number, which has been in place for five years. This is not a punitive measure,” he said.
Arigbabu added that while the government will address genuine complaints, it will not compromise efforts to sanitize the examination process. “We are keen to ensure the integrity of the exams. Those with genuine technical issues will be assisted, but many of those complaining are feeling the pressure,” he said.
