WAEC releases Nov/Dec 2013 exams results

The West African Examination Council, WAEC, has released the results
of the Nov/Dec. 2013 examination results, stating that there was a
marked decline in candidate's performance compared to the examinations
held in the past two years.
Announcing the results at a press conference at WAEC's head office in
Lagos on Thursday, the head of the body's Nigeria National office,
Charles Eguridu, stated that a total of 308,217 candidates registered
for the examination, out of which ­­­299,784candidates, consisting of
163,706 male and 133,202 female candidates sat the examination.
He also said out of the total number of candidates, 298,971
candidates, representing 97.26 per cent have their results fully
released, while 8,433 candidates, representing 2.74 per cent have a
few of their subjects still being processed. He said the errors were
mainly traceable to the candidates and cyber cafes in the course of
registration or writing the examination.
Such errors, he said, are being corrected by the Council to enable the
affected candidates get their results.
Mr. Eguridu said, 120,115 candidates, representing 40.46 per cent,
obtained 6 credits and above; while, 161,721 candidates representing
54.48 per cent obtained 5 credits and above.
He also said 198,832 candidates, representing 66.98 per cent obtained
credits and above in 4 subjects, while 230,325 candidates,
representing 77.59 per cent obtained credits and above in 3 subjects.
A total of 256,500 candidates, he said representing 86.41% obtained
credits and above in 2 subjects.
Also, the WAEC Nigeria top official added that a total of 86,612
candidates, representing, 29.17 per cent obtained credits in 5
subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics.
He however said, when compared to the November/December 2011 and 2012
WASSCE (Private), "there is a marked decline in candidates'
performance".
Mr. Eguridu said a total number of 38,260 candidates' results,
representing 12.88 per cent, are being withheld in connection with
various cases of examination malpractice.
"Such cases are being investigated and the reports of the
investigations will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations
Committee (NEC) of Council in due course for consideration. The
Committee's decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates
through their schools," he said.
He said 82 blind candidates registered and sat for the examination,
out of which 17 candidates, representing 20.73 per cent obtained
credits in 5 subjects including English Language. He noted that blind
candidates do not take Mathematics and Science practicals in the
WASSCE.
Mr. Eguridu also stated that candidates who sat for the Nov/Dec 2013
WASSCE will be able to check the details of their performance on the
Council's results website: www.waecdirect.org within the next 48
hours.
To deploy cutting edge technology
Meanwhile, Mr. Eguridu announced that beginning with the May/June
2014 WASSCE; the Council is deploying cutting-edge technology in the
conduct of its examinations, by using contactless Radio Frequency
Identification- RFID, Smart Card, for "easy and accurate
identification, automated attendance register, instant malpractice
reporting and effective post examination management".
He said WAEC has continued the quest of improving its service delivery
systems, particularly through the deployment of Information and
Communication Technology.
"The Council, as of today, has fully migrated from paper-based
registration to electronic registration of candidates for its
examinations in addition to the online checking of results and the
embossment of passport photographs of candidates on their
certificates," he said.
He also said the Council has deployed biometric technology in the
registration of candidates for the November/December 2013 WASSCE. The
data captured during registration, he said, formed the basis for the
identification of candidates and the taking of attendance during the
examination.
"Reports from the field indicated a drastic reduction in impersonation
by candidates during the conduct of the November/December 2013 WASSCE,
largely due, we believe, to the deployment of the biometric technology
in the registration for the examination," he said.
Mr. Eguridu also said, in view of the Council's zero-tolerance for
examination malpractice and the increased use of mobile handsets by
candidates during examinations, the Council has made it mandatory for
all schools to provide serviceable metal detectors which would be used
to prevent candidates from smuggling mobile handsets into examination
halls.