Mass failure in WASSCE as Only 29.37% candidates obtain credits in English, Maths

No fewer than 72, 522 candidates out of a total of 246,853 candidates that sat for the Nov/Dec 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) obtained credits in five subjects and above, this include English Language and Mathematics.

Despite the dismal performance in the private candidates examination, the management of the West African Examination Council (WAEC)insisted that the results, when compared to the Nov/Dec 2012 and 2013 WASSCE, recorded a remarkable increase in candidates performance.

In comparative analysis, the Head of National Office (HNO) of WAEC, Mr. Charles Eguridu, said in  Nov/Dec 2012 WASSCE, only 138,277 candidates, representing 34.84 per cent and for Nov/Dec 2013 WASSCE, 80, 135 candidates, representing 26.97 per cent obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English and Maths.

Eguridu, who was accompanied by senior officials of WAEC, including the Director of Administration, Mr. Stephen Taiwo, acting Director of Finance, Mrs. B.A. Ojeleye, Director of Computer Services and Mr. J.S. Oke, Head of Test Administration, Mr. O.C. Nzeh, commended government and security agents for assisting the council in conducting the private candidates in the North East in spite of its security challenges.

He also expressed gratitude to supervisors, invigilators, custodian and other ad-hoc personnel for their dedication to duty during the conduct of the examination stressing that the exam was concluded on October 3 and coordination as well as marking of candidates’ scripts took place between October 29 and November 19 at 32 marking venues.

The HNO, who gave the breakdown of the exam, revealed that only 241,161 candidates, representing 97.69 per cent had their results fully released while 5,691 others, representing 2.31 per cent still have few subjects still being processed due to some errors on the part of the candidates and cyber cafes where they registered or wrote the exam.

He disclosed that of the total number of candidates that sat for the exam, 75,313 candidates (30.50%), obtained six credits and above, 110,346, while candidates, representing 44.70% obtained five credits and above.  In addition, 145,036 candidates, representing 58.75% obtained credits and above in four subjects, while 177,177 candidates, representing 71.77% obtained credits and above in three subjects.  A total of 205,090 candidates (83.08%) obtained credits and above in two subjects.

The WAEC boss also explained that the results of 28,817 candidates, representing 11.67%, were being withheld in connection to  various cases of examination malpractice, ‘’such cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigeria Examination Committee (NEC) of the Council for consideration.

The committee’s decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates in due course’’.