The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has withheld the results of 215,267 candidates who participated in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) due to concerns over examination malpractice.
This figure accounts for 11.92% of the 1,805,216 candidates who sat for the exam.
EKO HOT BLOG notes that the 2024 WASSCE was conducted across four WAEC member countries—Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia—from April 30, 2024, to June 24, 2024.
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria Office, made the announcement regarding the withheld results during a briefing on Monday. Dr. Dangut explained that the results were withheld due to various reported malpractice instances.
However, he noted that the percentage of withheld results in 2024 is 4.37% lower than the previous year, when 16.29% of candidates faced similar sanctions.
“The Council remains committed to upholding the integrity of its examinations,” Dr. Dangut stated, warning that schools, supervisors, teachers, and candidates involved in malpractice are jeopardizing the educational system and will face strict penalties.
Malpractice has been a persistent issue for WAEC. Dr. Dangut pointed out that the use of mobile phones in examination halls, despite a strict ban, and organized cheating in some schools are significant concerns.
He assured that all reported cases are under investigation, and the findings will be submitted to the appropriate committee within the Council for review. The committee’s decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates through their respective schools. WAEC has also provided a platform on their website for candidates to contest the decisions if they wish to seek redress.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Dangut shared positive news about the overall performance of candidates. According to the data, 73.79% of candidates achieved credit or higher in at least five subjects, with or without English Language and/or Mathematics. This represents 1,332,089 candidates out of the total number who sat for the examination.
He encouraged successful candidates to apply for their Digital Certificates, which will be available 48 hours after they check their results online. Candidates who have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Council are advised to access their results on the official WAEC results website within the next 12 hours. Additionally, copies of the Result Listing will be dispatched to schools shortly.
The release of the 2024 WASSCE results marks the culmination of a rigorous assessment process. Despite the challenges in maintaining examination integrity, WAEC continues to play a crucial role in evaluating the academic achievements of students across West Africa.
The Council’s efforts to combat malpractice and enhance the credibility of its examinations are central to its mission of upholding educational standards in the region.