WAEC is confused – MURIC, reveals what timetable can cause in Nigeria
described the 2018 examinations timetable recently released by the
West African Examinations Council, WAEC, as volatile, warning that the
timetable is capable of causing a disturbance of public peace if it
erodes the Jumat period.
WAEC recently scheduled Chemistry for 2 pm to 4 pm on Friday April 20,
2018. But following criticisms from MURIC, the subject was moved
backwards to Tuesday April 10, 2018. However, ceramics (Essay) and
Forestry (Essay) will now be held on Friday April 20, 2018 from 2 pm
to 4 pm.
While stressing that Muslims all over the world attend Jumat prayer in
their mosques from 1 – 2.30 pm on Fridays, MURIC, in a statement by
its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, pointed out that educational
institutions and offices often leave a two-hour window (from 1 to 3
pm) for the faithful to go and worship.
The Director of Public Affairs, WAEC Nigeria, Mr. Demianus Ojijeogu
had confirmed the slight amendment, stating that "For the sake of the
people who will go to the mosque, the exam will be delayed till they
come back. The paper will be delayed till 2:30 pm or 3 pm, when the
Muslims will return from the mosque".
But MURIC is not satisfied with Ojijeogu's explanation, maintaining
that it is not convincing enough, and "leaves Muslim candidates at the
mercy of WAEC's ad hoc staff, invigilators and supervisors, some of
whom can be overzealous Muslim-haters".
Akintola said in the statement; "Even if it is true, this amendment
still needs clarification from WAEC. For instance, we need to know
whether or not some Muslim candidates take these two subjects
(Ceramics and Forestry). Yet this may not be the end of our inquiry
even if no Muslim candidate has registered for the subjects this year
because some Muslim candidates are likely to show interest in them in
the near future.
"The ideal thing for WAEC to do, therefore, is to steer clear
completely from scheduling any examination during the Jumat period.
There is no need to stereotype Muslims and the subjects they are
likely to take. Knowledge is a universal thing and candidates are not
likely to consider religion as a factor when choosing their subjects.
"The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, was shocked by the first timetable
released by WAEC. It was unfair, tyrannical and provocative. It was
equally myopic, thoughtless and parochial. This 'amended' version
presupposes that WAEC is confused.
"We were shocked because issues like this had been trashed out with
WAEC before. For WAEC to have tried this again, we strongly suspect
that the regional examination body is suffering from chronic
administrative amnesia.
"WAEC appears confused because there are three other clashes on the
'amended' timetable which WAEC did not address at all. Social Studies
(Objective) is slated for 1 – 1.50 pm on Friday 4th May, 2018 while
Electronics (Objective) is also billed to take place between 1 and 3
pm on Friday 11th May, 2018. Woodwork is equally scheduled for the
same day from 12 – 3 pm. So how do we reconcile all these? WAEC is out
to slay Muslim candidates.
"Placed pari passu with the 'amended' timetable, it is clear that
WAEC's spokesperson seeks to deceive Muslim candidates. He is leading
them into a trap. If indeed the timetable has been amended and
Chemistry has been moved to morning period on Tuesday 10th April,
2018, why would there be any need for "the exam would be delayed till
they come back" since it would no longer be taken on a Friday.
"WAEC spokesperson also spoke of the paper being delayed till "…2.30
pm or 3 pm". This is supposed to be a policy matter. Is he not so
sure? Which one should WAEC ad hoc officials operate? 2.30 pm deadline
or 3 pm? WAEC is speaking from both sides of its mouth.
"We recall our press statement dated 26th August, 2015 under the
caption "WAEC Examination Timetable is an Invitation to Chaos". That
press statement was issued three years ago when WAEC fixed three
different subjects between the hours of 1pm and 3 pm on three
consecutive Fridays running from 11th, 18th, and 25th September of
that year. MURIC cried foul and WAEC later adjusted its timetable.
"So what has changed since then? Does WAEC intend to bring examination
materials to its Muslim candidates in the mosque? Is WAEC asking
Muslim candidates to choose between worshipping and their examination
just as some religious bigots told Muslim students in the past? Is
this not an attempt by WAEC to jeopardize the interest and future of
Muslim candidates? Is this also not a deliberate attempt to ease out
Muslims from vital degree courses like medicine, pharmacy, nursing,
etc?
"Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence but the third time is
enemy action. The 2015 incident was not the first time. Is WAEC
targeting Muslim candidates for destabilization? It appears the only
language WAEC understands is force. Although Muslims will not resort
to the use of force, we will resist WAEC's illegal, unlawful,
illegitimate and unconstitutional manipulation of its timetable to
deprive Muslim candidates of their Allah-given fundamental right to
worship as enshrined in Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 2011 Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Any WAEC timetable
which trespasses into the Jumat period (12 – 3 pm on Friday) is
therefore ultra vires, null and void.
"By this press statement, we are notifying the Federal Ministry of
Education of the volatile nature of WAEC's timetable. It is capable of
causing a disturbance of public peace if it erodes the Jumat period.
Nigeria has witnessed enough religious riots and the Ministry must
call WAEC to order.
"WAEC's regional status notwithstanding, the Ministry of Education
owes it a duty to ensure that no educational exercise capable of
stirring civil disturbance is allowed to take place under its watch.
The Ministry of Education should have an input in an exercise of this
magnitude. In view of the fact that WAEC keeps repeating the same
irritating and illegal time table year after year, we suggest that
from now on, WAEC time tables should be scrutinized by the ministry of
education to ensure that nothing unlawful creeps into it.
"Muslim candidates and their parents will be left with no choice than
to mobilize to WAEC examination centers in peaceful protest if this
complaint is ignored.
"We demand a WAEC timetable that leaves the 12 – 3 pm window which
Muslims need for Jumat service untouched. An ideal examination
timetable for Friday will therefore be 9 am to 12 noon and 3.30 – 6
pm. In fact, heaven will not fall if examinations are limited to
morning period on Fridays.
"The WAEC timetable imbroglio has once again brought the Friday
Question to focus. We have no iota of doubt that WAEC will have no
audacity to fix an examination during the Jumat period if Friday is
free like Sunday. Or should we simply ask WAEC to fix one subject for
the Jumat period and another one on Sunday morning from 9 am to 12
noon, at least for parity? How does that sound? Who feels it knows it.
WAEC should stop oppressing Muslims. All we are saying is: Give Us
Jumat period. Respect Allah, our Creator, even if you don't respect
us.
"WAEC is pursuing an aggressive anti-Islam policy. Fixing examinations
during Jumat service gives non-Muslims undue advantage over Muslims.
This is discriminatory and unjust. WAEC has lost its soul.
"To round up, we charge the Federal Ministry of Education to call WAEC
to order. We advise WAEC authorities to consult widely when fixing its
timetable because no public institution is an island, entire of
itself. WAEC should note that the Jumat period (12 – 3 pm) is not
negotiable for any subject. We urge Muslims to remain calm, to eschew
violence but to be alert and watchful. Eternal vigilance is the price
of freedom."
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