West African Examination Council examinations commenced for Senior Secondary School Three students across the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, even as an ongoing strike by teachers continued to paralyse academic activities in both primary and secondary schools throughout the territory.

Visits to several secondary schools across the FCT confirmed that practical examinations were underway, with invigilators and supervisors present to monitor candidates. At Government Secondary School, Kwali, students were observed sitting their practical papers under the watch of invigilators.

Mrs Rosemary Akindele, a teacher at the school, clarified that the industrial action had no bearing on the examinations.

"The ongoing teachers' strike has nothing to do with the students writing WAEC because this is a West African examination which has nothing to do with the ongoing strike," Akindele stated.

At Government Secondary School, Hajj Camp, Gwagwalada, examinations were equally in progress, with an invigilator who requested anonymity disclosing that candidates commenced with a Food and Nutrition practical paper. Students at Government Girls Secondary School Dutse and Government Secondary School Kubwa 2, both in the Bwari Area Council, were also observed participating in the examination.

However, no students were present at Government Secondary School Phase 3, Kubwa. A school official explained that candidates there were not registered for the Food and Nutrition practical, adding that the school would participate fully in the main examination commencing on 27 April.

The official further noted that all revision sessions had been completed before the strike commenced, and stressed that an examination conducted by a subcontinental body should not be disrupted by an industrial action limited to the FCT.

At Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, a female boarding school, some students were still returning to campus after participating in the recently concluded Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination.

Meanwhile, teachers affiliated with the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers continued to block the entrances to schools across the territory on Tuesday. Classrooms remained locked, with only security personnel and striking teachers present at the gates.

Gabriel Moses, one of the striking teachers, maintained that the action would continue until the FCT administration met their demands.

"We are abiding by the directive of the FCT NUT; hence, no retreat, no surrender until the minister addresses our demands, which is why we are at the school gate this morning again," Moses disclosed.

FCT NUT Chairman Comrade Mohammed Abdullahi Shafas was unavailable for immediate comment, indicating he was in a meeting.