'Why Mass Failure Persists In WAEC Exams'

The Nigeria Examination Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has listed some reasons why mass failure has continued to persist annually in the examinatons.

Endorsing the report of the body’s Chief Examiner, the Committee said some of the reasons include, shallow knowledge of the subject matter, disregard for rubrics and incorrect interpretation of questions.

Other reasons, according to the Committee are, poor command of the English Language, lack of Mathematics and manipulative skills, poor knowledge of examination techniques, illegible hand writing and spelling mistakes.

In a communiqué issued by the Chairman of the Committee and Director, Basic and Secondary Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mabel Ozumba, the Committee directed that some schools which were indicted for mass cheating during the conduct of the May/June 2011 WASCCE should be derecognised for a specific number of years in addition to any other sanction imposed by the Council.

The communiqué further directed that school officials and teachers who were indicted for falling short of expectation or for involvement in the perpetration of malpractice be reported to the State Ministries of Education or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for disciplinary action.

Also speaking on the issue at a press conference, a member of the Committee, Chief Adeniyi Falade, said the Committee at its 52nd meeting considered malpractice cases involving 81, 573 candidates who sat for this year’s examination in Nigeria, and whose results were withheld , based on reports of their alleged involvement in malpractice.

“After thorough consideration of all the reported cases, the Committee endorsed appropriate sanctions prescribed by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination.

“The Committee endorsed the cancellation of the entire results of candidates involved in cases which attract such penalty and the cancellation of subject results of those involved in cases which attract such penalty,” she said.

— Eromosele Ebhomele