Buhari’s WASC controversy: Cambridge confirms Hausa was a subject in 1961

The University of Cambridge has confirmed that Hausa Language was one of the examinations undertook by students for the University of Cambridge West African School Certificate Examinations back in 1961.

The subject of whether or not Hausa could have been a subject back in 1961 has been one of the talking points of Buhari’s statement of result available to public, with claims that the subject was not offered in the examination until the 1970s.

In a clarification issued on the website of Cambridge Assessment, managers of its three exam boards on Friday, the university also said it could only confirm or verify results on the direct request of the candidate or with his/her permission.

“The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), now known as Cambridge Assessment, in response to requests to authenticate a candidate’s exam certificate, today said: We can only confirm or verify results at the direct request of or with the permission of a candidate,” read the statement.

“This is in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.”

It specifically said that “according to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa, were set for the West African School Certificate.”