by Lekan Olanrewaju

In what will probably provide fodder for several “subsidy” jokes to come, the West African Examinations Council has released a statement, pleading for funds.

The Head of its National Office, Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, has said the examinations body has no money to hire enough markers for the senior secondary school examinations. He also expressed worry that this could delay the release of the examination results.

Speaking at a joint news conference with the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom, Uwadiae said that the N5,850 paid as examination fees by candidates was insufficient to fund the conduct of the examination and the council would need financial help from the federal government.

“The government has been subsidising what the candidates pay to the council,” he said. “If not, many candidates will not be able to apply for the examination because the fees will be too high for them to pay.”

The minister of state for education, however, promised that the government would intervene, and funds would be released.

He said: “Ordinarily, when one considers the activities of WAEC, one would wonder why the examination body would need much funds to conduct the examination but the engagement of examiners and other logistics could results into huge spending.”