WAEC Withholds Results of Over 200,000 Candidates for Exam Malpractice
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that it is withholding the results of 215,267 candidates who sat for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) (School Candidates) due to alleged malpractice. Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of the National Office (HNO) made this announcement in Lagos on Monday.
This number represents 11.92% of candidates who took the examination, a decrease from the 16.29% recorded in the previous year. The withheld results are linked to reported cases of examination malpractice, including the use of cell phones in the examination hall and organized cheating in some schools.
The cases are currently under investigation, and decisions will be made by the appropriate council committee. Candidates affected by the decisions can seek redress through the provided link. The council is committed to sanctioning all cases of examination malpractice to maintain the integrity of the educational system.
Overall, a total of 1,814,736 candidates registered for the examination from 25,126 recognized secondary schools in the country. The results of 1,685,889 candidates have been fully processed and released, while efforts are ongoing to resolve issues for the remaining candidates.
In terms of performance, 73.79% of candidates obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, with or without English Language and Mathematics. While this percentage represents a decrease from the previous year, efforts are being made to improve outcomes.
Special arrangements were made for 109,115 candidates with varying degrees of Special Needs, and their results have also been processed and released. The council faced various challenges, including security concerns and logistical issues, during the examination period.
The council emphasized the importance of meeting registration deadlines and cooperation from schools to ensure the smooth conduct of examinations in the future. Financial challenges, such as inflation and the cost of conducting examinations, were also highlighted as areas of concern.
In conclusion, the council urged candidates to check their results on the provided website and apply for their Digital certificate. Hard copies of certificates will be available within 90 days for candidates whose results have been fully processed and released. The council reiterated the importance of meeting financial obligations to access results and certificates.
