Candidates Record Mass Failure in Nov/Dec 2013 WASSCE Examinations

29% scored 5 credits, including English, Maths ** Like in two previous examinations, candidates who sat for the November/ December 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) recorded mass failure, as only 86, 612 candidates, representing 29.17 per cent, out of 308,217 that wrote the exam, obtained five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. Announcing the release of the private candidate examination yesterday, the Nigeria Head of National Office (HNO), Mr. Charles Eguridu, along side his management team, which included Director of Administration, Mr. Stephen Taiwo; Director of Computer Services, Mr. Joseph Oke; Head of Test Development Division, Mrs. Olayinka Ajibade and Head of Test Administration Division, Mr. K. E. Ekekwe, admitted a decline in the performance of candidates in the exam compared to 2011 and 2012. The HNO also disclosed at the briefing, held at the Yaba Headquarters of WAEC, that 38, 260 candidates’ results, representing 12.88 per cent, were being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice. His words: “86, 612 candidates, representing 29.17 per cent, obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics. Based on this, when compared to the November/December 2011 and 2012 WASSCE (private), there is a marked decline in candidates’ performance.” In comparison with the November/ December 2013 WASSCE results, Eguridu said in 2011, only 139, 827 candidates, representing 36.07 per cent and in 2012, 150,615 candidates, representing 37.97 per cent, obtained five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. According to him, 82 blind candidates registered and sat for the examination, noting that only 17 candidates, representing 20.73 per cent obtained credits in five subjects, including English Language. He however explained that blind candidates did not take Mathematics and Science practicals in the WASSCE. Giving a breakdown of candidates’ performance, Eguridu, said 308, 217 candidates registered for the examination, out of which 296, 827 candidates, consisting of 163,659 male and 133,168 female candidates, sat for the examination, stressing that out of the number of candidates, 299,784 (including absentees) candidates, representing 97. 26 per cent had their results fully released. The WAEC boss further noted that 8, 433 candidates, representing 2.74 per cent had a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors mainly traceable to them and cyber cafes in the course of registration or writing the examination. Eguridu said such errors were being corrected by the council to enable the affected candidates get their results. He revealed that out of the number of candidates that sat for the examination, 120, 115candidates representing 40.46 per cent, obtained six credits and above, 161,721 candidates, representing 54.48 per cent got five credits and above. In addition, the HNO said 198, 832 candidates, representing 66.98 per cent, secured credits and above in four subjects and 230, 325 candidates, representing 77.59 per cent obtained credits and above in three subjects. He added that 256, 500 candidates, representing 86.41 per cent obtained credits and above in two subjects. Eguridu advised candidates who sat for the November/December 2013 WASSCE (private) to check the details of their performance on the council’s results website within the next 36 hours. He paid glowing tributes to staff of the WAEC for the successes recorded during the conduct, marking and processing of the results. The HNO revealed that from next year, candidates would not be allowed to enter the exam hall with mobile phones, as the council would introduce a metal detector to screen candidates. According to him, this had become necessary as candidates use mobile phones to scan question papers and send it out to people to provide answers and send back. He said WAEC could not be held responsible for the poor performance of candidates, noting that the council set questions based on the approved government syllabus, even as he disclosed that from 2014, WAEC would partner with state governments to run a clinic on how to improve results. On exam fraud, Eguridu said beginning with the May/June 2014 WASSCE, the council would deploy cutting-edge technology in the conduct of its examinations, by using contact lens Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) smart card, for easy and accurate identification, automated attendance register, instant malpractice reporting and effective post- examination management. He stated: “The council has continued the quest of improving its service delivery systems, particularly through the deployment of Information and Communication Technology. The council, as of today, has fully migrated from paper-based registration to electronic registration of candidates for its examinations in addition to the online checking of results and the embossment of passport photographs of candidates on their certificates. “The council also deployed biometric technology in the registration of candidates for the November/December 2013 WASSCE. The data captured during registration formed the basis for the identification of candidates and the taking of attendance during the examination. Reports from the field indicated a drastic reduction in impersonation by candidates during the conduct of the November/December 2013 WASSCE, largely due, we believe, to the deployment of the biometric technology in the registration for the examination.”