The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for private candidates in Nigeria. noting that 44.29% of students achieved passing grades in mathematics English and a minimum of three other subjects.
This was made known in a statement signed by the acting Head, of Public Affairs, Moyosola F. Adesina for the Head of the National Office on Tuesday evening.
According to the statement, out of the 80,904 candidates who took the exam, 39,790 were male and 41,114 were female, making up 49.18% and 50.82% of the total candidates, respectively.
“In a minimum of five subjects, 46,267 candidates, representing 57.19% of the total, obtained credit or higher grades.
The exam body reported that 35,830 candidates, accounting for 44.29%, achieved credit or higher grades in at least five subjects, which included English Language and Mathematics. Out of this figure, 17,631 (49.21%) were male candidates, while 18,199 (50.79%) were female candidates.
“The WASSCE for Private Candidates, the percentage of candidates who obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, was 48.61% in 2021 and 42.16% in 2022 Second Series.
“This shows a slight improvement of 2.13% in performance. However, it is important to note that this analysis cannot be compared to the WASSCE for School Candidates.
“Unlike the candidates in the School Candidates exam who are required to take eight or nine subjects, the candidates in the Private Candidates exam have the option to register for eight or nine subjects but are not obligated to take all of them.
“They have the freedom to select a specific subject based on the area they need to improve. For them, the exam is simply a way to address a current deficiency. Contrary to this, it would be incorrect and unfair to claim that the performance in this exam has declined.
“The results of 7,192 candidates, which make up 8.89% of the total number of exam takers, are currently being held due to reported cases of cheating.
“These cases are currently under investigation, and the findings will be presented to the appropriate Council Committee for review. Subsequently, the Committee’s decisions will be directly communicated to the affected candidates.
“The exam took place In Nigeria between October 27, 2023 and December 20, 2023.”
“The coordination and marking of candidates’ scripts took place at seven different venues in Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, Benin, Enugu, Uyo, and Kaduna between January 16th and January 30th, 2024. A total of 4,162 examiners participated in this process. In comparison to the 2022 entry figure of 77,768, there was a 10.07% increase in candidates, with 85,600 candidates entering for the examination this year. Out of these candidates, 80,904 sat the exam at 568 centers located throughout the country.”
