WAEC said the performance was poor compared the previous examination.
The West African Examination Council, WAEC, has released the results of the Nov/Dec. 2013 examination results, stating that there was a marked decline in candidate’s performance compared to the examinations held in the past two years.
Announcing the results at a press conference at WAEC’s head office in Lagos on Thursday, the head of the body’s Nigeria National office, Charles Eguridu, stated that a total of 308,217 candidates registered for the examination, out of which 299,784candidates, consisting of 163,706 male and 133,202 female candidates sat the examination.
He also said out of the total number of candidates, 298,971 candidates, representing 97.26 per cent have their results fully released, while 8,433 candidates, representing 2.74 per cent have a few of their subjects still being processed. He said the errors were mainly traceable to the candidates and cyber cafes in the course of registration or writing the examination.
Such errors, he said, are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results.
Mr. Eguridu said, 120,115 candidates, representing 40.46 per cent, obtained 6 credits and above; while, 161,721 candidates representing 54.48 per cent obtained 5 credits and above.
He also said 198,832 candidates, representing 66.98 per cent obtained credits and above in 4 subjects, while 230,325 candidates, representing 77.59 per cent obtained credits and above in 3 subjects.
A total of 256,500 candidates, he said representing 86.41% obtained credits and above in 2 subjects.
Also, the WAEC Nigeria top official added that a total of 86,612 candidates, representing, 29.17 per cent obtained credits in 5 subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics.
He however said, when compared to the November/December 2011 and 2012 WASSCE (Private), “there is a marked decline in candidates’ performance”.
Mr. Eguridu said a total number of 38,260 candidates’ results, representing 12.88 per cent, are being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice.
“Such cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) of Council in due course for consideration. The Committee’s decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools,” he said.
He said 82 blind candidates registered and sat for the examination, out of which 17 candidates, representing 20.73 per cent obtained credits in 5 subjects including English Language. He noted that blind candidates do not take Mathematics and Science practicals in the WASSCE.
Mr. Eguridu also stated that candidates who sat for the Nov/Dec 2013 WASSCE will be able to check the details of their performance on the Council’s results website:www.waecdirect.org within the next 48 hours.
To deploy cutting edge technology
Meanwhile, Mr. Eguridu announced that beginning with the 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”.
He said WAEC has continued the quest of improving its service delivery systems, particularly through the deployment of Information and Communication Technology.
“The Council, as of today, has fully migrated from paper-based registration to electronic registration of candidates for its examinations in addition to the online checking of results and the embossment of passport photographs of candidates on their certificates,” he said.
He also said the Council has deployed biometric technology in the registration of candidates for the November/December 2013 WASSCE. The data captured during registration, he said, formed the basis for the identification of candidates and the taking of attendance during the examination.
“Reports from the field indicated a drastic reduction in impersonation by candidates during the conduct of the November/December 2013 WASSCE, largely due, we believe, to the deployment of the biometric technology in the registration for the examination,” he said.
Mr. Eguridu also said, in view of the Council’s zero-tolerance for examination malpractice and the increased use of mobile handsets by candidates during examinations, 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.
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