The increasing exchange rate between the naira and dollar seems to also be affecting students who have registered for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC). An official of the council announced that the examination fees were increased from N13,950 to N18,000 out of necessity.

The council also called for the support of the Federal Government to procure an outstanding printing machine.

The wide margin between the naira and dollars at both the black market and the official rate seems to be affecting the examination fees for the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

There have been reports that this was disclosed during a visitation made by Patrick Areghan, the head of the Nigeria National Office of the council to a marking centre in Abuja.

Speaking at the marking centre, Areghan said that WAEC has introduced a marginal increase in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

According to Meghan, each student writing the examination now has to pay N18,000 as against the former N13,950 usually charged by the council.

Meghan noted the increased conversion rate between naira and dollar is a misery. He added that the upward review of fees was necessary to enable the council to render its services efficiently to every Nigerian child.

• WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL calls out to the government on their pressing needs for better services, one of which they need to get a printing machine.

His words: “There has to be that marginal increase to enable us to do better services. The examiners are now happy as we can increase their marking fees through this marginal increase.

“The money went for the payments of examiners to enable us to satisfy them so that they can do the job better.” Purchase of a $3.9 million printing machine Also speaking, the register of the council, Pateh Bah commended the satisfactory work delivered by examiners in the centre.

He said that the examiners have continued to facilitate the prompt release of students’ results after marking. In addition, the chairman of the council, Professor Ato Essuman, called for the support of the Federal Government to procure an outstanding printing machine to help the council in its service delivery.

The printing machine is expected to cost $3.9 million (N16,146,000,000) at the official rate of N414 per dollar.

WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL announces a new date for the conduct of 2022 WASSCE.

The West African Examinations Council, had returned to its previous calendar, with May/June for the conduct of this year’s, WASSCE.

This is as the education body, on Monday, announced the start of 2022 WASSCE for school candidates scheduled to hold from May 16 to June 23. Earlier in the heat of the Covid-19 pandemic, WAEC shifted the date of WASSCE to two months after the normal date, that is from August to September.

This sudden change is a result of the high dollar as the naira crashes to N710.

Due to some situations in the country and also the high demand for dollars. It’s only making the dollar go higher, meanwhile, the printing machine needs to be available for use as soon as possible.