Activists demand cancellation of 2026 common entrance, primary six exams in Imo over anomalies
Activists Call for Cancellation of 2026 Examinations in Imo
Imo State activists have demanded the immediate cancellation of the 2026 Common Entrance and Primary Six First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) examinations, citing poor planning and inadequate logistics that they claim caused significant hardships for students.
In a letter addressed to the State Commissioner for Education, the SAVE IMO group, led by Ebubeagu Ekenulo, criticized the handling of the examinations that took place on July 17. The group asserted that scheduling both high-stakes tests on the same day was a clear indicator of mismanagement, disadvantaging pupils who attempted both examinations.
“Scheduling both high-stakes examinations for the same day was a reckless decision,” the letter stated. “Many pupils sat for both. It set them up to fail before they entered the hall.”
The group reported that students at various examination centers faced delays and experienced disruptions that forced them to complete their tests in inadequate lighting. Some pupils relied on flashlights, candles, and car headlights provided by parents.
SAVE IMO indicated that some centers were still administering exams as late as 8 p.m., prompting concerned parents to rush to the schools, fearing for their children’s safety and the integrity of the process.
“Parents stormed schools fearing for their children’s lives and even malpractice,” Ekenulo noted. “Others became invigilators with flashlights. Is this the standard we now accept for Imo children?”
The group also claimed that several schools received insufficient quantities of question papers, which prompted some students to take the remainder of their examinations on another day using already administered papers. This situation, they argued, created opportunities for examination malpractice and compromised ethical standards.
Ekenulo stated that, under any credible examination system, such issues would warrant automatic cancellation of the exams.
In their letter, the activists urged the Education Commissioner to annul the current examinations and arrange for new tests to be conducted within 30 days, under conditions they deemed appropriate, including proper supervision and adequate resources.
“Imo children are not an afterthought. Education is not where we cut corners to save money. The failure of the examination process should be addressed,” the letter concluded.
