By Faith Igbudu
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has withheld the results of 365,564 candidates who took part in the 2022 examination over allegations of examination malpractices.
The withheld results account for 22.83% of the total number 1,601,047 candidates that sat for the examination.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Head of the Nigerian National Office of WAEC, Mr Patrick Areghan, while giving a breakdown on the performance of candidates in Lagos.
“The results of 365,564 candidates, representing 22.83% of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination, are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice.
“This is 11.74% higher than the 10.9% recorded in 2021. Reasons for this are not far-fetched. Candidates are no longer ready to learn.
“Preparations for examinations are poor. There is over-reliance on the so-called ‘Expo’, which is actually non-existent. Candidates simply got frustrated when they got into the examination hall and discovered that all they had celebrated was fake.
“This has pitiably led to some of them failing the examination, which if they had relied on themselves and studied hard, would have passed like many others,” he said.
He further stated that the results shows that 1,409,529 candidates, representing 88.04% of the 1,601,047 candidates that sat for the examination, had credit and above in a minimum of any five (5) subjects with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.
“The analysis of the statistics of the performance of candidates in the examination shows that out of the 1,601,047 candidates that sat for the examination, 1,409,529 candidates, representing 88.04%, obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five (5) subjects with or without English Language and/ or Mathematics;
“Also, 1,222,505 candidates, representing 76.36%, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
“Of this number, 597,811 which is 37.34% were male candidates, while 624,694 which is 39.02% were female candidates. Whereas in 2021, those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, was 81.70%. Thus, there is a 5.34% decrease in performance,” Areghan explained.
He, however, noted that 1,713 candidates with special needs duly sat for the 2022 WASSCE.
‘I wish to report that a total of 1,713 candidates, with varying degrees of special needs, registered for the examination. Out of this number, 128 were visually challenged, 583 had impaired hearing; 387 were spastic cum mentally challenged and 12 were physically challenged. All these candidates were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination. The results of these candidates have been processed and are also now being released along with those of other candidates,” he stated.