Barely a year to the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) decision to introduce new subjects from Nigeria’s revised curriculum has unsettled parents, teachers, and education stakeholders.

Parents, teachers and other stakeholders fear that the decision may disrupt students’ performance in the examination.

Some argue that an external examination such as WASSCE should give at least a three years gap before including the new subjects from the new curriculum, suggesting 2028 as a fairer starting point for students currently in Senior Secondary School (SSS).

The new curriculum has subjects such as Citizenship and Heritage Studies and Digital Technologies, among others.

While the intention behind these changes may be commendable, WAEC’s plan to begin from 2026 is seen as ill-thought-out and unfair.

Gradual implementation

Stanley Boroh, senior lecturer at the Federal University, Otuoke, acknowledged the merit of the new subjects but urged WAEC to extend the rollout.

“While I appreciate the new curriculum due to the inclusion of some new courses that have global relevance, I will want to appeal that WAEC to give it a little time, maybe next round of exams so that nobody will be left out and feel cheated,” he said.

Boroh said the addition of new courses such as Digital Technology should go beyond theory, calling for proper infrastructure and practical learning environment for teaching and learning it.

Nubi Achebo, director of Academic Planning at Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), said though it is within WAEC’s remit to test the new curriculum in 2026, practical realities indicate that many students and teachers are unprepared.

“A combination of a short postponement, intensive training, infrastructure investment, and transparent communication would go a long way toward turning this ‘recipe for disaster’ into a smoother transition,” he noted.

Achebo noted that many schools are yet to complete the syllabus for the new trade and science components, potentially putting students in disadvantage when the exam tests practical competencies.

He recommended nationwide workshops, online learning modules, and well-equipped computer-based test (CBT) centres with reliable electricity and internet access before the rollout.

“For the planned computer-based testing (CBT), the government must equip every exam centre with reliable power and internet, and run mock CBT sessions before the actual exam,” he said.

Isaiah Ogundele, an administrator, said money for the project might have been embezzled, hence the urgency in implementation.

“I see no reason why the examination body would insist on something that is dead on arrival. New subjects, new curriculum, no man power to drive it, and no electricity to power it.

“Besides, there are no facilities to run the programme. The parents and the candidates are the ones that would bear the consequences because I can see mass failures looming while many lives and time will be wasted,” he noted.

Decision is timely

However, Gift Osikoya, a teacher, sees the decision to conduct the 2026 WASSCE based on the new curriculum as timely and necessary, considering the rapid changes in education and the global job market.

“The inclusion of subjects such as Digital Technology is a positive step towards equipping Nigerian students with the skills required for the modern world.

“These are essential for students to compete effectively in today’s digital age. However, while the intention behind this reform is commendable, there are genuine concerns about readiness and fairness,” she said.

However, she emphasised that many schools, especially in rural areas, are still struggling with inadequate facilities, lack of trained teachers, and limited access to digital learning resources.

This, she noted, creates a gap between students who have access to proper training and those who do not.

“These students need sufficient time and guidance to adjust and develop confidence in their new subjects. Learning a subject effectively takes time, consistent teaching, and practice, all of which may be lacking if the curriculum is rushed into examination without adequate preparation.

Osikoya added that the curriculum represents a positive step forward for Nigerian education, noting that successful implementation depends on adequate preparation, fairness, and support for both teachers and students.

However, Friday Erhabor, a parent, said the new curriculum should take immediate effect, while the students must brace for it. (BusinessDay)