CLASSROOMS COLLAPSE DURING WAEC EXAM IN TARABA STATE

CLASSROOMS COLLAPSE DURING WAEC EXAM IN TARABA STATE

In what could have been a devastating tragedy, dozens of students, teachers, and NYSC Corps members narrowly escaped death after several classrooms collapsed during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Taraba State.

The incident occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Government Secondary School, Namne, located in Gassol Local Government Area. A heavy downpour accompanied by a violent windstorm triggered the sudden collapse of classroom structures while examinations were still underway.

Eyewitnesses reported that students and invigilators were trapped under the debris for hours before being rescued by local residents. The rescue effort was described as frantic but successful, with no recorded fatalities despite the terrifying ordeal.

Victims Rushed to Health Centre

Local resident Alhaji DanAzumi Lauris, who spoke with Daily Trust, revealed that the collapse affected the second batch of students writing their exams, as the first group had already completed theirs and exited the premises. He further disclosed that injured individuals were transported to a nearby Primary Healthcare Centre, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

Wider Damage Caused by Windstorm

In addition to the school’s destruction, the violent storm also damaged multiple homes in the Namne community, compounding the hardship for residents and raising fresh concerns about the state of public infrastructure in rural areas.

Calls for Government Intervention

The collapse has sparked urgent calls for government intervention, particularly in renovating dilapidated public school structures that endanger the lives of students and staff. Education advocates are urging the Taraba State Government and relevant federal agencies to investigate the structural integrity of schools across the state and provide emergency assistance to affected communities.