70% Of Candidates Fail WAEC May/June 2014 Exam

No fewer than 70 percent of the candidates that sat for the May/June West African Examinations Council (WAEC) failed to obtain five 5 credits.

According to results released by WAEC on Monday at its head office in Yaba, aside the massive failure, a large number of results are yet to be released due to several factors, including candidates' errors and laxity.

The head of national office (HNO), Mr Charles Eguridu, told newsmen that the results of 1,605,613 candidates who sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), representing 94.87 per cent of the total candidates that registered, have been fully released while another 86,822 candidates have pending results.

He noted that a only 529,425 candidates were able to obtain credits in five subjects including English language and Mathematics.

The figure represents a disappointing 31.28 per cent, which by implication means that approximately 70% of the candidates failed.

It should be noted however that as much as 791,227 candidates (47% approx.) six credits and above while also 982,472 (58% approx.) scored five credits and above.

But these two figures are for those that did not get the required English Language and Mathematics combination.

From Bad To Worse

Considering that in 2012, 61% percent failed, rising to about 63 percent failed in 2013, it is easy to conclude that it is steady rise in failure rate.

“When you compare the 2014 result with that of 2013 and 2012 results, you will agree with me that there is a marginal increase in the number of failures, especially as it affects the total number that obtained five credits in English Language and Mathematics," Eguridu said.

The falling standards of education in Nigeria has been widely discussed in educational circles.