Despite the disruption of the school exam for four months due to COVID-19, 65% of candidates who wrote the May/ June 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) obtained five credits, including English and Mathematics.
Announcing the release of results in Lagos, WAEC Head of National Office, Mr Patrick Areghan, said analysis of statistics showed that 1,538, 445 million candidates sat for the exam.
According to him, 1,003,668 million candidates, representing 65.24 % obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, Of this number, 497,139, representing 49.53% were male candidates, while 506,529, representing 50.47% were female candidates.
He said the percentage of candidates’ performance in the last year (2019) WASSCE who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, was 64.18%. Thus, there is a marginal 1.06% improvement in performance.
The WAEC boss said 4,280 candidates with varying degrees of special needs were registered for the exam and 230 were visually challenged, 745 had impaired hearing; 2,852 had low vision; 38 were spastic cum mentally challenged, and 58 were physically challenged, stating that all the candidates with special needs were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.
Areghan said 1,456,727 candidates, representing 94.69% have their results fully released while 81,718 candidates, representing 5.31% have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors on the part of the candidates. He, however, noted that efforts are being made to speedily complete the processing to enable all the affected candidates get their results fully processed and released, subsequently.
Areghan gave reasons for the improved performance citing, the determination of candidates to do well, four months break helped students and schools to prepare well, and also online teaching during the lockdown.
He also commended parents, stakeholders, and the Lagos State government for their supports and efforts at putting in place online facilities, lessons, provision of learning outlets, that prepare students adequately for the examinations as well as ensuring they observed COVID-19 safety protocols, noting it brought out the best from candidates.