By Eric Elezuo
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Monday released the results of the 2023 May/June Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE) examination while withholding the results of states, which are highly indebted to the Council.
Addressing the press on the conduct of the examination, which took place between May 8 and June 23, 2023, and subsequent release of results, at the Council’s head office in Yaba, Lagos, the Head of National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, observed that the results were released 44 days after the last paper was written. He noted that “Thousand, seven Hundred and Thirty-Three (1,613,733) candidates that sat the examination, One Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Eight (1,361,608) candidates, representing 84.38%, obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five (5) subjects (i.e with or without English Language and/ or Mathematics;
“One Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-Seven, Nine Hundred and Twenty (1,287,920) candidates, representing 79.81%, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
“Of this number, Six Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fourteen (616,914) i.e. 47.9% were male candidates, while Six Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand and Six (671,006) i.e. 52.1% were female candidates. The percentage of candidates in this category in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2022, that is, those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, was 76.36%. Thus, there is 3.45% decrease in performance in this regard.”
He also berated states indebted to the Council for making the job if administration difficult, stressing that results of candidates from the states will not be released along side other results.
“Unfortunately, some States have been owing large sums of money for years now and have simply refused to pay after the needed services had been rendered by WAEC, thus denying us the needed funds to carry out our activities. States sponsoring candidates for the examination must show commitment, willingness, readiness and ability to pay or redeem their pledges. We make bold to say that the results of the indebted States will not be released along with others,” he said.
Mr Areghan, who informed that “this is the last press briefing I will be having with you under the auspices of WAEC, as Head of the Nigeria National Office,” will be disengaged from the services of the Council on October 1, 2023.
