The 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results have painted a grim picture of the state of education in Nigeria, revealing that a staggering 503,275 candidates failed to pass both English Language and Mathematics. This alarming figure represents a significant portion of the 1.8 million students who sat for the examination, raising urgent concerns about the quality of education and the readiness of Nigerian students for higher learning.
Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria Office for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), disclosed that out of the 1,805,216 students who participated in the examination, only 1,301,941 candidates were able to secure credits and above in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics. This translates to a 72.12% success rate, marking a sharp decline from the 79.81% recorded in 2023—a drop of 7.69% in just one year.
“The analysis of the statistics of candidates’ performance is deeply concerning,” said Dangut. “Out of the 1,805,216 candidates that sat for the examination, 1,332,089 candidates, representing 73.79%, obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five subjects. However, when narrowing it down to those who passed both English Language and Mathematics, the number drops to 1,301,941 candidates, representing 72.12%.”
The gender breakdown of the successful candidates reveals that 628,820 (48.30%) were male, while 673,121 (51.70%) were female. Despite these numbers, the overall decline in performance highlights systemic issues within Nigeria’s education sector.
Adding to the concern, WAEC also withheld the results of 215,267 candidates, amounting to 11.92% of the total, due to various reported cases of examination malpractice. This development has further intensified the debate on the integrity of the examination process and the broader implications for the future of Nigeria’s youth.
WAEC announced the release of the 2024 WASSCE results on its official X handle on Monday, August 12, 2024, urging all candidates to visit their website to check their results. However, the shocking statistics have cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of academic achievement for the nation’s students.
As the nation grapples with this educational crisis, it becomes imperative for stakeholders in the education sector to reassess and urgently address the factors contributing to this alarming decline in performance. The future of Nigeria’s next generation depends on it.
PIONEER NEWS 