Examination Hall Collapses During WAEC, Injuring Students and Teachers in Numan Village

Examination Hall Collapses During WAEC, Injuring Students and Teachers in Numan Villag

Tragedy struck in Numan village, located in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, when an examination hall collapsed during an ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) paper, leaving several students and teachers injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning as senior secondary school students were seated for their mathematics exam.

According to eyewitness accounts, the hall, which was part of a public secondary school in the village, gave way without warning as the exam was in progress. Screams of panic filled the air as the roof caved in and walls crumbled, trapping many of the students and at least three teachers under debris.

Local sources confirm that at least 17 students and two teachers sustained varying degrees of injuries, ranging from fractures to cuts and bruises. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported at this time. Rescue efforts by villagers, school staff, and local emergency responders helped evacuate the victims and rush them to a nearby health centre. Some of the more severely injured were later transferred to the General Hospital in Jalingo for advanced treatment.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, the school principal, Mr. John Ibi, expressed deep concern and frustration over the poor state of infrastructure at the school. “We have reported the condition of this building to authorities multiple times, but no action was taken. Today, we are witnessing the result of years of neglect,” he said.

Parents and community leaders have also expressed outrage, accusing the state government of failing to maintain and renovate deteriorating public school buildings despite repeated warnings. A local youth leader, Musa Abubakar, lamented, “This is a disaster that could have been avoided. How many more of our children must suffer before something is done?”

In response to the incident, the Taraba State Ministry of Education has ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the collapse. The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Laraba Danjuma, who visited the site, promised swift action. “We will not rest until we get to the root of this tragedy. All affected students will be given the opportunity to re-sit the exams under safer conditions, and we will ensure such an event never happens again,” she assured.

The WAEC board has also issued a statement expressing concern over the incident and affirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety of students during examinations. Arrangements are reportedly underway to relocate the ongoing examinations to another facility in a neighboring community.

As the injured continue to receive medical attention and the village grapples with the shock of the event, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for investment in educational infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Residents of Numan are calling on both state and federal governments to treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves, warning that continued neglect could lead to further disaster.