Primary school pupils in Imo State were forced to sit for their mandatory First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) and Common Entrance examinations late into the evening on Friday, with many completing papers in near-darkness after 7pm.
Parents have expressed strong anger and called for the removal of officials in the state Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, blaming poor organisation for the chaotic exercise.
Pupils were required to take both exams on the same day, which extended proceedings far beyond the scheduled time.
The children had left home early in the morning amid heavy rainfall to reach their centres by the original 9am start.
However, rain reportedly delayed the distribution of question papers and answer booklets, leaving many centres without materials even by 4pm. Frustrated parents waited in cars, shops, and makeshift shelters or stood in the rain while their children remained inside.
At centres such as Shell Camp Primary School, Kingdom Heritage Model School, World Bank Primary School, and Barclays International School in Irete, the situation sparked widespread frustration.
One parent, Chukwudi, posted on Facebook demanding the sack of those in charge, describing the organisers as “incompetent and unorganised” for making pupils sit local exams until 6:30pm.
Another parent, Chinwe, highlighted the ordeal: children who left home before 8am in heavy rain were still writing exams at 8pm, noting that the examination had already been postponed twice.
Parents reported insufficient question papers at some venues, forcing pupils to share copies or write in batches. One anonymous parent at Shell Camp Primary School spoke of the “psychological trauma” endured by children under 12 years old who were hungry, exhausted, and exposed to cold and rain throughout the day.
Many parents took to social media to demand accountability and disciplinary action against the ministry.When contacted, the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, declined to comment.
The incident has highlighted ongoing challenges in the planning and execution of key examinations in the state, raising concerns about the impact on young learners.
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