By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
A total of 2,577 candidates’ results have been withheld over allegations of examination malpractice, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), said yesterday.
WAEC revealed this yesterday in a statement announcing the release of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, second series.
The statement signed by the Council’s spokesperson, Moyosola Adesina, said some 65,023 candidates sat for the examination in Nigeria between October 25 and December 20, 2024, at various centres across Nigeria.
Those whose results were withheld were advised to visit the WAEC Notice of Examination Malpractice Portal (https://waecinternational.org/complaints) to respond to allegations against them.
The statement reads further: “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.
“The Committee’s decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates,” Ms Adesina stated.
She noted that 16,886 (48.41%) of the successful candidates were male, while 17,992 (51.58%) were female.
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.
Overall results
A total of 2,577 candidates had their results withheld due to allegations of examination malpractice.
According to Ms. Adesina, about 34,878 candidates or 53.64%, obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
She noted that in the 2022 and 2023 second series, 42.16% and 44.29% of candidates, respectively, obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics.
She continued: “This year’s result reflects a 9.35% increase in performance in that category. However, the data cannot be directly compared to WASSCE for school candidates.
“School candidates must sit for eight or nine subjects, whereas private candidates have the flexibility to register for as many or as few subjects as they need.
“Out of all candidates who sat the exam, 62,354 (95.90%) had their results fully processed and released.
“Meanwhile, 2,669 candidates (4.10%) have some subjects still being processed due to errors attributed to them.
“Efforts are ongoing to complete processing and ensure the affected candidates receive their results as soon as possible.”
Candidates have been advised to check their results at www.waecdirect.org before accessing digital copies of their certificates at www.waec.org.
Ms Adesina further noted that statistical analysis shows that 43,923 candidates (67.55%) obtained credit and above in at least five subjects, regardless of English Language or mathematics.
Examiners marked candidates’ scripts at five centres in Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Enugu, and Kaduna between January 15 and February 4.
A total of 3,327 examiners participated in the coordination and marking exercise.
“For the first time, the 2024 second series of WASSCE for private candidates was conducted in two modes, aligning with best practices and WAEC’s pursuit of excellence,” Ms Adesina noted.
She said candidates had the option to sit for the examination using either the traditional paper-and-pen format or a computer-based hybrid mode, depending on their choice during registration.
