The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, second series, with 2,577 candidates facing allegations of examination malpractice.
The Acting Public Affairs Officer of WAEC, Moyosola Adesina, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to Adesina, 65,023 candidates sat for the examination across Nigeria between October 25 and December 20, 2024.
Out of these, 34,878 candidates, representing 53.64 per cent, obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
This performance shows a slight improvement compared to the 2022 and 2023 second series, where 42.16 per cent and 44.29 per cent of candidates, respectively, achieved similar results.
Adesina noted that 16,886 (48.41 per cent) of the successful candidates were male, while 17,992 (51.58 per cent) were female.
She encouraged candidates to check their results at www.waecdirect.org before accessing digital copies of their certificates at www.waec.org.
Adesina also urged candidates whose results were withheld to visit the WAEC Notice of Examination Malpractice Portal (https://waecinternational.org/complaints) to respond to the allegations against them.
“Reported cases will be investigated, including evidence gathered and candidates’ representations submitted. Findings will be reviewed by the Council’s relevant Committee for a final decision,” Adesina stated.
Malpractice Allegations Rock 2024 WASSCE Results
WAEC’s decision to withhold the results of 2,577 candidates has sparked concerns about the prevalence of examination malpractice in Nigeria’s educational system.
According to Adesina, the affected candidates are under investigation, and the Council’s relevant Committee will review the cases before making a final decision.
“The Committee’s decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates,” she assured.
This announcement comes amid rising concerns over academic integrity in Nigeria, where examination malpractice remains a major challenge.
Educational analysts believe that the widespread use of digital devices has contributed to the increase in examination malpractices.
Speaking on the issue, education expert Dr. Samuel Obafemi noted, “The use of smartphones and other gadgets has made it easier for students to cheat. Unless stricter measures are enforced, the problem will persist.”
Statistical Breakdown and Historical Comparison
The statistics provided by WAEC show that 43,923 candidates, representing 67.55 per cent, obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, regardless of English Language or Mathematics.
This indicates a significant improvement compared to the 2022 and 2023 results, suggesting better preparation and performance by candidates.
Educational stakeholders have attributed this improvement to enhanced teaching methods and increased access to educational resources online.
However, the rise in malpractice cases raises questions about the credibility of the examination process.
Regional Marking and Digital Certificates
WAEC revealed that examiners marked candidates’ scripts at five centres in Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, and Kaduna between January 15 and February 4.
The Council also encouraged candidates to check their results online before accessing digital certificates, reflecting its push towards digital transformation.
Candidates were advised to visit the WAEC portal to verify their results and download digital copies of their certificates.
This move aligns with WAEC’s commitment to improving its services through digital innovation.
Future Implications and Recommendations
Education analysts have called for more rigorous measures to curb examination malpractice, including the use of artificial intelligence to monitor examination centres.
They also urged WAEC to continue enhancing its digital platforms to ensure a seamless experience for candidates.
“The transition to digital certificates is a commendable step towards modernization. However, WAEC must also invest in cybersecurity to protect candidates’ data,” advised digital education consultant, Grace Adeyemi.
The release of the 2024 WASSCE results has once again highlighted the need for reforms in Nigeria’s examination system.
Stakeholders believe that addressing examination malpractice and enhancing digital platforms are critical steps towards restoring the credibility of Nigeria’s educational qualifications.
As WAEC continues its investigations, the affected candidates are anxiously awaiting the outcome, hoping for a fair and transparent review process.
