Hundreds of secondary school students writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) narrowly escaped death on Wednesday evening when a classroom building collapsed at Government Secondary School, Namnai village in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The incident, which occurred around 6 p.m., was triggered by strong winds and heavy rainfall as students were in the middle of their examination. According to eyewitnesses, the sudden storm caused the classrooms to cave in, trapping students, teachers, NYSC corps members, and examination supervisors inside the building.

"Many victims, both male and female students, sustained serious injuries, including fractures," said Alhaji DanAzumi Lauris, a resident of Namnai. "Teachers, exam supervisors, and corps members were also trapped under the rubble but were rescued after several hours by local residents."

The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby primary healthcare centre for medical treatment. Lauris further noted that several houses in the town were also damaged by the severe storm alongside the school building.

Examination Disruptions Across Taraba

In a related development, the heavy downpour disrupted WASSCE examinations in Jalingo, the state capital, where flooding and poor visibility prevented many students from returning home until after 1 a.m.

This incident adds to growing concerns about the conditions under which students are taking their final examinations. Recent reports indicate that students in some parts of Taraba and other states have been forced to write WAEC examinations late into the night due to various logistical challenges.

As of the time of this report, authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the extent of the damage at Government Secondary School, Namnai, or whether the examination schedule will be adjusted to accommodate affected students.

The incident has raised questions about the structural integrity of school buildings across the state, especially during the rainy season, and the safety measures in place to protect students during examinations.