How displaced students write WASSCE amid insurgency

Maimuna Abubakar, 17, would have been going to the designated centre of her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) from her home in Gwoza to write her examinations with comfort and fewer disturbances from crowd. She would have concentrated on her examination, doing extra reading in her small study in the family apartment of […]

Maimuna Abubakar, 17, would have been going to the designated centre of her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) from her home in Gwoza to write her examinations with comfort and fewer disturbances from crowd.

She would have concentrated on her examination, doing extra reading in her small study in the family apartment of four rooms but for the Boko Haram deadly forays.

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In 2014, Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gwoza, a hilly Nigerian town on the border with Cameroon Republic, declaring a caliphate after killing scores of civilians and security operatives, destroying houses, schools and security structures.

Maimuna and other survivors were compelled to flee their homes to Maiduguri, where they are taking abode at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

The hope of returning to her home fades by the day after spending six years at the camp.

Maimuna is writing her WASSCE without adequate preparation.

She had to struggle with poor environment and disturbance from her siblings and parents in a makeshift room at the Bakassi IDP camp.

“I was in class six in Gwoza Central Primary School before Boko Haram came.

“Then, it was so easy for me and my siblings to learn due to the comfortable environment.

“Our parents could feed us with all kinds of food without any problem,” she recalled.

She explained that she felt very disturbed after Boko Haram attacked her village, burnt her home, and abducted her brother.

They ran to Madagali before moving to Mubi town but they were still chased out by the insurgents to Maiduguri.

She said, “They abducted my brother and set ablaze our house.

“They carted away everything we had and that was how we found ourselves here.

“My father started a business in camp and enrolled us in school.

“The camp is not good for learning.”

“Honestly, we are facing many challenges at the camp; the makeshift house is not conducive.

“When it is sunny one can’t read. IDP camp is not a place where one can concentrate.

“The noise and unfriendly environment have made it so difficult for me to perform well.”

Maimuna said despite her challenges, her decision to study kept her going.

“I joined Government Girls College in 2017 since then I made up my mind that so long as I am alive, I will write my WASSCE; study hard and become an accountant,” she said.

“Despite the harsh weather and lack of money to get the necessary textbooks and other materials for my examination, I am still hopeful of passing so that I can further my education to pursue my dreams.

“Not only to help my parents and siblings alone but our community.

“I want to become an accountant, to be truthful, dedicated and help other people,” she said.

Just like Maimuna, about 200 that displaced persons are facing similar challenges as they write the WASSCE or prepare for NECO at the various displaced persons’ camps. Many of the parents depend on humanitarian aid to feed the family.

Another student, Falmata Usman Kashim, 18, from Monguno LGA was in JSS 2 at UBE Monguno in 2014 before the insurgents attacked her community.

She trekked for five days to Maiduguri.

She joined Government Girls College Maiduguri 2016 to continue her education and is now writing WASSCE.

She expressed worry over the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic but was optimistic that she would come out with flying colours.

“I came here six years ago, and then I never knew that I would go back to school because we were looking for what to eat and where to sleep.

“I always tell my father that I want to become a nurse.

“In 2016 I joined GGC because I didn’t want to remain at the camp.

“We are six but I and one of my siblings were chosen to go to school while the others stayed at home because my father could not afford the tuition fees.

“My four siblings completed their primary school education but there was no financial strength to further their education.

“They stay at home to enable us to continue our studies.

“My parents are not doing anything except petty business at the Bakassi IDP camp.

“That is why I am working hard to see that I pass all my papers because I don’t want to disappoint my parents.

“Our parents that took over all our all responsibilities have nothing to offer us now, but we ever remain grateful to them.

“We are appealing to the government to help us with our education and give us scholarships.

“We are struggling hard to go to school and get an education due to the condition of our parents after being displaced,” Falmata said.

Musa Abdullahi, 17, another displaced person from Marte LGA has spent five years at the Bakassi IDP camp.

He joined Government Technical College, Bama in Maiduguri 2016.

His struggle for education continues despite COVID-19 imposed challenges in the IDP camp.

He was engaged in both Islamic and western education with a mission to become a millitaty officer but poverty is threatening his dream.

“Honestly, I am not happy with this examination because COVID-19 has spoilt everything.

They’re supposed to give us enough time to study after they asked us to go home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want to become a soldier because of what we have faced in the last 10 years; we have suffered a lot, so we need peace in Borno like we used to have before Boko Haram came and disrupted our lives and displaced us.”

“I want to protect my country, Nigeria. As an indigene of Borno, I know so many parts of the state.

“I want to help my people and work in the zone,” Abdullahi said.