The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the November/ December 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with 86,612 candidates, obtaining five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics out of a total of 296,827 that sat for the examination.
The figure represents 29.17 per cent of the total percentage of candidates with credits in five subjects out of the total number of candidates that sat for the examinations.
In the 2011 results, 139.827 candidates representing 36.07 per cent recorded credits in five subjects including English Language and Mathematics while in 2012 150,615 candidates representing 37.97 per cent scored similar credits.
When compared to the two preceding years, the 2013 results revealed a significant decline in candidate’s performance.
The Head of National Office (HNO), Mr. Charles Eguridu, who announced the release of the results at WAEC headquarters in Lagos, disclosed that while a total of 308,217 candidates registered for the examination, 296,827 candidates consisting 163,659 male and 133,168 female that sat for the examinations.
Out of these figure, 299,784 candidates representing 97.26 have their results fully released while 8,433 candidates representing 2.74 per cent have a few of their subjects still being processed due to errors in the course of registration or during writing of the examination.
Eguridu disclosed that “120,115 candidates (40.46 per cent) obtained six credits and above; 161,721 candidates (54.48 per cent) obtained five credits and above; 198,832 candidates (66.98 per cent) obtained credits and above in four subjects while 230,325 (77.59 per cent) obtained credits and above in three subjects. Besides, a total of 256,500 candidates representing 86.41 per cent obtained credits and above in two subjects.”
Furthermore, the results of 36,260 candidates representing 12.88 per cent are still being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice.
The WAEC HNO said cases involving examination malpractices are being investigated, adding that “the reports of the investigations would be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) and thereafter the committee’s decisions would be communicated to the affected candidates.”
He said however that, out of a total of 82 blind candidates who registered and sat for the examination, 17 candidates representing 20.73 per cent obtained credits in five subjects including English Language. Blind candidates are not allowed to take Mathematics and Science practicals in the WASSCE.”
Eguridu said that despite the council’s zero-tolerance for examination malpractice, there has been an increased use of mobile handsets by candidates during examinations.
“To this end, the council has made it mandatory for all schools to provide serviceable metal detectors, which would be used to prevent candidates from smuggling mobile handsets into examination halls.”
Adding that, “beginning from May/June 2014 WASSCE, the council is deploying cutting edge technology in the conduct of its examinations by using contactless Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Smart Card for easy and accurate identification, automated attendance register, instant malpractice reporting and effective post examination management.”
On the success of the deployment of biometric technology used in the registration of candidates for the November/ December 2013 WASSCE, Eguridu affirmed the data captured during registration formed the basis for the identification of candidates and the taking of attendance during the examination.
He said reports from the field indicated a drastic decline in cases of impersonation by candidates during the examination.
