Decline in WAEC Results Raises Concerns

Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has expressed serious concerns about the recent drop in student performance in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) recently announced results showing a 7.69% decrease in candidates who performed well in the exams.

According to WAEC, out of more than 1.8 million candidates who sat for the exam, only 72.12% managed to obtain credits in at least five subjects, including English and Mathematics. This is a significant drop from last year’s 79.81% success rate.

In a statement on August 19, Obi attributed this decline to a lack of investment in education in Nigeria. He highlighted the alarmingly low literacy rate, where despite claims of over 50%, the country ranks 187th globally.

Obi further criticized the federal government’s budget for education, pointing out that only N330.3 billion was allocated for the entire sector, which includes the Universal Basic Education Commission. He believes this amount is drastically insufficient for the number of primary and secondary schools in the country.

Reflecting on his time as governor, Obi noted how much investment in education transformed the system in Anambra State. He praised the hard work of students and teachers, urging for urgent action to improve educational standards in Nigeria.