Senate Queries  WAEC, Education Minister Over New SSCE Guidelines

• Senate have raised concerns that sudden changes to SSCE subject requirements could cause mass failure in 2026, urging that the new rules be postponed until 2027/2028.”

The Senate, on Tuesday, questioned the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Head of the National Office of WAEC, Dr. Amos Dangut, over the newly introduced guidelines for candidates taking the 2025/2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

The motion, raised by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC – Kogi West), noted that the new rules alter subject requirements for SS3 students preparing for the May/June examinations. Karimi warned that implementing the changes next year could result in mass failure, as students would be sitting for subjects they had not been adequately prepared for.

Lawmakers agreed that while some of the changes may be progressive, the timing would put unnecessary pressure on candidates. They suggested that SS3 students sitting for the 2025/2026 exam be exempted, and that the guidelines should be applied from the 2027/2028 academic session.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC – Edo North) cautioned against rushed implementation, noting the lack of preparation for new subjects.
“We wake up and think of an idea and begin to implement it. For a new subject to start, citizens should be well-informed. Do we have enough teachers? Are laboratories ready? That evidence does not exist,” he said.

Senator Idiat Adebule (APC – Lagos West) supported the motion but called for deeper investigation, stressing that the National Council on Education normally participates in such decisions.

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Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Adeola Olamilekan (APC – Ogun West), argued that students must first be taught before being examined.
“Students need prior knowledge of the new subjects before they can be examined by WAEC. So, the Minister of Education has some questions to answer,” he added.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioned the reported removal of Computer Studies and Civic Education from the subject list.
“Everything is going digital. So why are we removing Computer Studies and Civic Education? Children need to know their national anthem and civic obligations,” he said, adding that the information must be properly verified.

The matter has been referred to the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, which is expected to report back to plenary in two weeks.