The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Monday announced the release of the results for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2023.
Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Mr. Patrick E. Areghan, who made the announcement at the WAEC office in Lagos, disclosed that a total of 1,621,884 candidates registered for the examination from 20,867 recognized secondary schools in Nigeria.
Of these, 1,613,733 candidates sat the examination, which held from May 8 to June 23, 2023 with 84.38 per cent obtaining credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The highly anticipated announcement was, however, marred by the revelation that 262,803 candidates’ results were withheld due to reported cases of examination malpractice, representing 16.29 per cent of the total candidates who sat the examination.
This number, while representing a decrease from the previous year’s 22.83 per cent, underscores the persistence of the issue and its detrimental impact on the education system.
Mr. Areghan emphasized the Council’s dedication to combating examination malpractice and called on parents to play their part in discouraging the use of cheating materials.
He also condemned the activities of rogue website operators and miracle centers, revealing that the Council had apprehended individuals involved with the help of security operatives.
The HNO acknowledged the challenges faced during the examination, including financial constraints due to the cashless policy and increased fuel prices, as well as security concerns like banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency in certain regions.
He also highlighted the issue of non-adherence to registration deadlines by some schools, which posed challenges to the examination process. He urged schools to cooperate and understand the importance of meeting registration requirements on time to ensure the seamless execution of future exercises.
The WAEC boss further expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders and emphasized the significance of the briefing, which marked his last public appearance in his capacity as the HNO.
He reminisced about his journey since assuming the role on March 6, 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Nigeria. Despite the obstacles posed by the pandemic, the examination was successfully conducted within a four-week period spanning from August to September 2020.
In an effort to modernize service delivery, Mr. Areghan introduced the innovation of digital certificates being made available simultaneously with result checking. The physical certificates will be printed and issued 90 days after results are released. This move, he said, aims to streamline the admission process for candidates and enhance accessibility to higher education.
Mr. Areghan’s tenure as Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC has been marked by achievements, including the establishment of a functional WAEC Nigeria Digital Printing Press, launch of various digital platforms, and prioritization of staff welfare. He expressed his gratitude to stakeholders, the media, and his colleagues for their support throughout his tenure.
He assured that WAEC remains steadfast in its mission to uphold educational excellence and integrity, as it addresses the challenges posed by examination malpractice and continues to innovate for the benefit of Nigerian students.
