Classroom Collapse in Taraba Leaves WAEC Candidates Injured
Heavy Rainfall Triggers Structural Collapse
Dozens of students writing the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were injured on Wednesday evening when several classrooms collapsed at Government Secondary School, Namnai, in Gassol Local Government Area, Taraba State.
According to eyewitness reports, the collapse occurred during a severe downpour accompanied by intense winds. The affected students were still on the premises alongside teachers, NYSC corps members, and external exam supervisors when the building gave way.
Students Trapped, Community Rallies to Rescue Victims
Many students and supervisors were briefly trapped under the debris. Residents of the area quickly mobilized to rescue the victims before emergency services arrived.
At least a dozen students sustained injuries, with some suffering suspected fractures and other trauma. They are currently receiving treatment at the Namnai Primary Healthcare Centre, while the extent of injuries is still being assessed.
Community Reacts: A Wake-Up Call for School Infrastructure
Local residents and education stakeholders have expressed concern over the state of school infrastructure in the state. A community leader who spoke to thewatch.ng described the collapse as “avoidable” and blamed years of neglect and poor maintenance of public school buildings.
“There were visible cracks in the structure before now. We’ve been raising alarms for years,” he said.
Calls for Government Action
Parents and advocacy groups are calling on the Taraba State Government and the Ministry of Education to immediately audit public school buildings across the state and take urgent steps to ensure the safety of students.
As of this report, the Taraba State Ministry of Education has yet to issue an official statement on the incident. WAEC officials have also not commented on how this disruption might affect the ongoing WASSCE examinations.
