The National Parents Association of Federal Unity Secondary Schools has stated that the delay in the release of the 2008/2009 Junior Secondary 1 placement examination results has taken a worrisome dimension for both the parents and the pupils.

Rising from its emergency National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, the association said it was unfortunate that the results of the examination conducted in October could not be released, several weeks after schools had resumed.

In a statement signed by the National President and Secretary-General of the association, Mr. C. Anibaba and Okwudili Akajemeli respectively, the members said the situation was very unhealthy for the pupils.

According to the statement, the parents query the rational behind the delay in releasing the results of the examination, even when the first term is about rounding off.

It said, “The delay in the release of this result has taken a worrisome dimension in the sense that the resumption date that had earlier been fixed for October 31, 2008 has been breached by the Ministry of Education.

“Unfortunately, no official announcement has been made till date. This trend is most unhealthy for the affected children who are idle at home and parents are highly disturbed, especially as all schools have barely three weeks to end the first term.

“We appeal to the Federal Ministry of Education to release without further delay, the final placement result of admission into JSS 1 for the 2008/09 academic session which was concluded in Jos between October 3 and 6, 2008.”

The association said since due process was followed in the conduct of the examination, the ministry should speak up by announcing the results of the examination.

However, in an advertisement, the Federal Ministry of Education had announced its cancellation of the examination. It hinged its decision on the fact that the examination was conducted in “error” and that it was an “unnecessary exercise.”

It explained that with the introduction of the Universal Basic Education system, there was no more Primary Six First School Leaving Certificate. “The nine years prescribed was to run in a continuum,” it added.