The Nation Newspaper

Tag: West African Examination Council [WAEC]

  • WASSCE: 39, 557 obtain five credits in English, Maths – WAEC

    Head of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Mr Olu Adenipekun, Wednesday announced that 39, 557 candidates obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics in the last West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates in the country.

    Adenipekun, said the figure represents 35.99 per cent of 109, 902 candidates that sat the examination.

    He also disclosed that 63, 037 candidates representing 57.36 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five subjects (i.e. with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.)

    Adenipekun, who was addressing reporters in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, said the WASSCE for private candidates 2018-Second Series took place in the five members’ countries from August 14, 2018 to October 4, 2018.

    He said a total of 112, 567 candidates registered for the examination in Nigeria, out of which 109, 902 sat the examination.

    “Out of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination 107, 749 candidates have their results fully processed and released while 2, 153 candidates have a few of their subjects still being processed due to errors traceable to the candidates in the course of registration or writing the examination. Such errors are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results fully processed and released subsequently,” he said.

    He also disclosed that a total 138 candidates with varying degrees of special needs registered for the examination, and all of them were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.

    He said of the total number of candidates that sat the examination in Nigeria, 54, 378 were male, while 55, 524 were female.

    The WAEC boss commended the staff of the Council, whose sacrifices, dedication and commitment to duty contributed immensely to the successes recorded during the conduct, marking, processing and release of the WASSCE for private candidates, 2018-Second Series in Nigeria, within the period of time the Council promised its stakeholders.

  • Bayelsa schools can’t open now, says Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend ruled out immediate reopening of schools, which were closed by the government following the flood disaster. 

    Dickson, who spoke in a media chat in Yenagoa, said there was a need to protect children from water borne diseases.

    But the governor assured the people of the state that the schools would not be closed for too long following the flood assessment reports by a committee led by the Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obuebite.

    He said the Ministry of Education was working to mitigate the negative impact of the closure on the overall performance of students in the forthcoming West African Examination Council (WAEC).

    The governor noted that while the flood started to recede, government was more concerned about the health and safety of the children.

    He said that the government was taking steps to ensure proper sanitation of all the schools including the ones that were converted to camps for displaced persons before children were allowed into them.

    Read Also: Nigeria sitting on keg of gunpowder, says Dickson

    He said: “We ordered a forced closure of all schools about a month ago to ensure the safety of the children. But now that the flood is receding, we will do everything possible to make our schools habitable before announcing the resumption of schools.

    “But let me assure you that, that will not be too long from now. The State Ministry of Education is monitoring the water level and making daily reports to me. We are not in a hurry to push children who are vulnerable to harm’s way.

    “On the issue of the performance of our students in national examinations, I want to assure you that government will encourage all schools to make some adjustments to enable them to make up for lost time”.

    The governor, who commended the flood victims for their resilience said the government would do its best to ameliorate the plight of displaced persons and ensure their resettlement into their communities

    He called for collaboration in proffering long term solutions to address the flood issue through the dredging of the major rivers, tributaries, shore protection as well as construction of sea walls and shelters.

    Dickson also offered automatic employment to all indigenes of the state,mwho graduated with first class in their respective areas of studies. 

    He called on such graduates, who did not pick the employment forms for the 1000 vacancies announced earlier by the government, to approach the civil service commission for enrollment into the service.

    He explained that the automatic employment of first class graduates would be in addition to the 1000 graduates awaiting oral interview to be conducted by the Civil Service Commission.

    He explained that his desire to bequeathed a vibrant and productive civil servant inspired the decision to engage all first class graduates in the state.

  • Delta starts fumigation of IDPs camps

    Chief John Nani, Delta Commissioner for Environment, on Friday said that the ministry had started fumigation of the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the state.

    Nani, who made this known in Asaba, said that the fumigation of the IDPs camp was part of the government efforts to create a comfortable environment for the flood victims.

    He said that the safety of Deltans was paramount to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s prosperity agenda.

    The commissioner, however, advised the people in the camps to keep their environment clean; practice regular hand washing and always cover food stuffs to prevent rodents from gaining access to their foods.

    He said that the Environment Ministry had fumigated the IDPs at Ogbe-Afor Primary School, Asaba, in Oshimili South Local Government Area and Ewulu Grammar School, Ewulu in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Delta North APC leaders endorse Utomi as consensus candidate

    The commissioner said that the ministry also fumigated the camp at Utagba-Ogbe Technical College, Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government Area and other places.

    Nani, in a statement issued by the State Ministry of Information, said that there would be a statewide environmental sanitation on Saturday and there would be no restriction of movement.

    According to the commissioner, there will be no restriction of movement due to the ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC) Private Examination.

    He advised the general public to keep their environment clean by cutting over-grown weeds and clearing all drains around their residential and business premises.

    Nani said the State Waste Management Board would evacuate all waste to the approved dump sites.

    He noted that the Delta State Ministry of Environment, Local Government Authorities and other relevant authorities, would monitor the exercise.

  • WAEC: Senate inaugurates committee to investigate recurring mass failure

    The Senate has directed its Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) to interact with the Minister of Education to identify the causes of the recurring failure in the WAEC results with a view to finding remedies.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Umaru Kurfi (Katsina Central), who described the recurring mass failure of West African Examination Council ( WAEC ) results in the country since 2009 as embarrassing.

    The Senator expressed worry that the rate of failure continues to increase, saying it was prejudicial to the interest of Nigerians secondary school students and their parents.

    According to him, in both 2009 and 2010 WAEC, only 25.99 and 24.94 per cent respectively passed with 5 credits including Mathematics and English, while the remaining others constituting 70 per cent failed.

    “In 2011 May/June WAEC, only 86,612 out of the 1,540,250 candidates that participated in the examinations got credit in mathematics and English language.

    “Also in 2011 May/June WAEC, only 86,612 out of 1,540,250 candidates that participated in the examinations got credits in Mathematics and English Language.

    “In 2012 May/June WAEC, only 649,159 out of 1,672,224 candidates that wrote the examinations which represents just 38.81 per cent got 5 credits and above including in the core subjects of Mathematics and English language.

    “In 2013 WAEC, only 29.17 per cent candidates actually passed the Nov/Dec WAEC examinations while 70 per cent failed.

    “In both 2017 and 2018 recent January/February private examinations, only 26.01 per cent and 17.13 per cent candidates have passed with 5 credits including Mathematics and English language respectively, while the remaining over 70 per cent candidates failed,’’ he said.

    Kurfi regretted that the future of the country would continue to be bleak if urgent action were not taken to address the situation.

    Contributing, Sen. Barau Jibrin said that urgent steps must be taken to find reasons for the failure and remedies.

    Sen. Emmanuel Paulker said that the situation called for a grave concern, attributing the development to the problem from poor quality of education received at the primary school level.

    “And it is this same crop of students that will move to the secondary school. Some of them can hardly write or read; without a foundation, there is no way a house can stand.

    “Those formulating our school curriculum must sit up, if not, we have our future doomed,’’ Paulker said.

    On her part, Sen. Biodun Olujimi emphasised the need to evaluate the entire value chain in the education sector, saying, “There is need for revaluation to understand where the missing link is.

    “There is also the need to look at teacher education because we have some teachers who are not properly trained, who don’t do research and cannot read or write.

    “So, how can they teach our children well,” Olujimi said.

    In his remark, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki stressed the need to increase the value of human resources to promote quality education in the country.

    “I am sure the committee will work assiduously to get to the bottom of this matter and see that it is addressed.

    “Indeed the education sector need some reforms,’’ Saraki said.

    NAN

  • Be wary of “miracle’’ centres, Abia commissioner warns

    Be wary of “miracle’’ centres, Abia commissioner warns

    The Abia Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ikechi Mgboji, has advised parents and guardians to be wary of sending their wards to schools indulging in examination malpractice.

    Mgboji  gave the advice in an interview in Aba on Wednesday.

    He spoke against the backdrop of  the closure of  St. John’s Secondary School, Umunkere,  Obingwa Local Government Area,  which was identified by the West African Examination Council ( WAEC ) as “a miracle centre’’ noted for promoting  examination malpractice.

    The commissioner for education in Abia urged  parents to send their children to schools where they would learn and be able to defend their certificates.

    He  decried the ugly trend whereby many parents were deliberately sending their children to schools which engage in malpractice.

    The commissioner  vowed  that government would  close any schools found promoting  examination fraud in the state, noting that parents and teachers now collude to perpetrate examination malpractice.

    “When we talk about examination malpractice, it is something that implicates some parents and implicates society as a whole.

    “You are right because it is a systemic problem. It is sad that parents even go as far as paying extra money to have their children in such schools.

    “There is this undue emphasis on paper qualification which pushes people to do anything to get that paper qualification and it is just wrong and counter-productive,’’  he said.

    He said that the closure of St. John Secondary School  was as a result of its indulging in examination malpractice.

    “We received a report from WAEC;  the documents are there  that the school is a miracle centre and I felt that the time to act was long overdue.

    “That school will not be the last that we are going to descend heavily upon and it should be a warning for all those who have allowed their schools to be used as centres for examination malpractice.

    “Once we receive credible reports, we shall not fail to act.

    “ Security agencies have been drafted to the school to ensure strict compliance and any disobedience will attract severe sanctions,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • ‘Don’t let Igbo language die’

    ‘Don’t let Igbo language die’

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed grave concern over what it called the gradual erosion of Igbo language, culture and values.

    The organisation therefore called on Igbo language experts, the governors of Southeast states and other concerned groups and individuals to establish a mechanism for translation of more English and scientific words into Igbo language and to establish generally acceptable Igbo vocabulary.

    The national vice chairman of Ohanaeze and former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, expressed the concern when an Igbo interest group,  Igboekulie, organised a public lecture and presentation of awards to students, teachers, schools and individuals for promotion of Igbo language and culture, at College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu recently.

    “Language is a living thing which must grow, otherwise it will die. There must be new words in Igbo language. I appeal for translation of more English and scientific words into Igbo language,” Ogbu, who was the chairman of the occasion said.

    The President of Igboekulie, Prince Ben C. Onuora stated that the group, a non-profit organisation formed in 2015, was poised to among other things advocate for the promotion and protection of the economic, social, political and cultural values of Ndigbo as well as the revival of the Igbo language.

    Onuora said the group was worried by the recent postulation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), that Igbo language faces prospect of extinction by 2025 if preservative actions were not taken.

    He called on the Houses of Assembly in the Igbo speaking states in Nigeria to devote a day in every week for the conduct of their legislative business in Igbo language.

    Chairman of the planning committee of the event,  Prof. Chibueze Jiburum, had earlier noted that Enugu was chosen as the host for the event being the headquarters of Eastern Nigeria and that the state government supports Igbo language and culture.

    The Guest Lecturer, Prof.  (Rev. Fr.) Philip Ogbonna, blamed the erosion of Igbo culture and values on the decline in speaking and writing of Igbo language.

    Ogbonna whose lecture is entitled “Language; An Indispensable Tool in Keeping a Culture Vibrant”, stated that language is an ethnic identity, and any cultural group that loses its language has invariably lost its identity.

    The event featured cultural dance and drama displays by students, as well as presentation of awards of excellence in Igbo language to students, schools and teachers as adjudged by West African Examination Council (WAEC).

     

  • Wake up Nigerian Youths

    Wake up Nigerian Youths

    According to Albert Einstein “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it”. Unfortunately, that’s what we are doing. We made ourselves grumps that fail to give solutions.

    I believe it is utterly due that we bring a significant portion of the youths of Nigeria to the sad reality that they are guilty with lack of depth and originality; their level of thinking is pedestrian (no offence).

    They have remained at the aboriginal state of being – the same with their progenitors.

    The primary responsibility of Universities, Polytechnics and other institutions of higher learning is to shape and mould their products (students) such that they stand out in the originality of their ideas.

    Considering a few reputable international institutions of higher learning like Alexandria University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ), we can see a consistent pattern in the way their products leave indelible prints on the social, economic and political pedestals of the world.

    However, due to issues of mismanagement, corruption and lackluster, especially amongst the tertiary institution’s management, they continue to reproduce half-baked and almost no competence graduates into the labour market.

    Apart from the grotesque incompetence amongst the leaders in our nation, it is even more heartbreaking to know that the youths can hardly see beyond now; they seem to be infected with a myopic syndrome (shortsightedness) of vision…unable to see beyond today.

    Globally, youths are breaking new grounds in medicine, technology, philosophy, mathematic and other significant field. On the contrary, a large number of our youths have become huge liabilities and disappointments.

    There is hardly a country in the world where people love, celebrate and idolise their oppressors like Nigeria. We think we change governments but all we do is replace one oppressor with another.

    Bearing in mind that we spend at least four (4) years in tertiary institutions, coupled with strike, yet, we are not fully accepted by the society to be competent and experienced enough to wield the wand of power.

    The youngest person in the cabinet of this present government is 48 while the oldest is 68.

    It is pertinent that we are reminded of our past leaders who lived a life of impact. Among them are the likes of Mt Mbu who became Foreign Affairs Minister at 23 and the first Nigeria chief Representative in USA, Washington Dc between 1959-1960. Also, Pat Utomi became a Federal Adviser at 27.

    Presently, this age bracket as it stands today are no longer qualified to even be leaders of youth wings of Political parties; this age bracket is barred from aspiring certain Political offices.

    The sad reality is that many youths within the above age brackets are still writing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ), West African Examination Council ( WAEC ), National Examinations Council ( NECO ) etc.

    A bright future is not some event we fold our hands and expect to happen, but one that we are actively involved in its unfolding.

    While other youths are carrying the destinies of their nations, we are busy in the “busyness” of carrying the bags of politicians.

    To further drive home my point, in 2012, 19-year-old Proscovia Alengot Oromait was elected as a member of parliament. Now 24 years old, she is the youngest person ever elected to office in not only Uganda but the entire African continent.

    The future will come regardless of what we do or don’t do; but how the future will come is totally dependent on what we do or don’t do.

  • WAEC/NECO: Borno students lament withholding of results

    WAEC/NECO: Borno students lament withholding of results

    Students of public secondary schools in Borno have expressed concern over the withholding of examination results by the West African Examination Council ( WAEC ) and National Examination Commission ( NECO ).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two agencies withheld results for the June/July 2017 examinations due to the inability of the state government to settle outstanding fees.

    The state government had pledged to contribute 75 per cent of the total cost while the candidates were to pay the remaining 25 per cent.

    A cross section of the candidates, who spoke to NAN, on Friday in Maiduguri, described the situation as “worrisome.’’

    Jidda Mustafa, a student of Government College Maiduguri, said that he could not apply for entry into any institution of the higher learning due to non-release of the results by NECO.

    Jidda lamented that the trend might affect his chances of securing admission this academic year.

    “Most of candidates could not apply for admissions due to non-release of examination results by WAEC and NECO.

    “It is disheartening to see that while private school students are pursuing their admission into universities and other institutions of higher learning, students of public schools are helpless,” he said.

    Fati Abubakar, also a student of Government Girls College Maiduguri, who corroborated the opinion, called on the government to pay the examination fees to enable them to further their education

    Mr Shettima Umar, the Vice Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) in Borno , decried the withholding of SSCE and NECO examination results in the state.

    Umar said that the ugly trend was inimical to sustainable development in the sector and called on the government to settle the fees to facilitate release of the examination result on time.

    “Urgent measures are necessary to save the situation and assist the students to apply for admission into institution of learning,” Umar said.

    Also commenting, Mr Ahmad Ma’aji, the NECO’s State Officer, confirmed that the agency had withheld June/July examination results for candidates in the state.

    Ma’aji explained that the action was necessitated by the inability of state Ministry of Education to complete payment of its candidates’ examination fees.

    “The ministry only paid part of the total cost of the examination fees. Candidates could access their results as soon as the ministry made payment of the outstanding balance.

    “The examination fees are N11, 350 per candidate,” he said.

    Ma’aji disclosed that over 29, 000 candidates of both public and private schools sat for the examination in the state, adding that the council had released results of candidates whose payment were complete.

    In his reaction, Alhaji Hassan Aminami, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said that the ministry had paid 50 per cent of its counter pert contribution of the examination fees.

    Aminami explained that the ministry was expected to pay 25 per cent of the amount while the Ministry for Local Government and candidates were to contribute 25 per cent each, respectively.

    He added that the ministry and candidates in Borno had so far paid 75 per cent of the total cost while the remaining 25 per cent would be settled by the ministry for local government.

    “We are concerned about the situation and we intimated the ministry for local government over the impending issue.

    “They are working on it and payment of the remaining 25 per cent will be made soon so that students can access their result,” Aminami said.

  • Rivers shuts 1,886 illegal schools – Wike

    Rivers shuts 1,886 illegal schools – Wike

    The Rivers Government has closed no fewer than 1,886 schools operating without government’s approval, Gov. Nyesom Wike said in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Wike made the development  known when the management staff of Jesuit Memorial College, Mbodo-Aluu, paid him a courtesy visit.

    He said the schools were shut for failing to meet specified standards of the state Ministry of education.

    He said that parents patronising the affected schools had  been told to relocate their wards before the next academic session began.

    According to him, the government will  fully implement measures aimed at strengthening the state education sector by September.

    “We want to maintain standards that will uplift education in the state,” Wike said.

    Wike also explained that his administration was committed to transforming the state and empowering its people through an enhanced education sector.

    He condemned examination malpractice associated with some illegal schools operating as West African Examination Council (WAEC) centres in some remote parts of the state.

    According to the governor, most illegal schools have become WAEC magic centres where examination malpractices are promoted.

    He, however, commended the management of the Jesuit Memorial College for establishing a branch in Rivers in honour of the 60 students who died in the Sosoliso air crash in Port Harcourt on Dec.10, 2005.

    He assured them of the state government’s support to ensure that the school served the people better.

    Earlier, the Principal of the school, Rev. Emeka Asogwa, explained that the school was established in memory of the 60 students of Jesuit Memorial College, Abuja, who died in the  air crash.

    He commended the state government for partnering  the school in infrastructural development.

    He also appealed to the governor to assist the school to get  the Certificate of Occupancy for the 21 hectare of land allocated to it by the state government.

  • Police parade four suspects for operating illegal websites

    Police parade four suspects for operating illegal websites

    The Nigeria Police Force have arrested four suspects who illegally opened and operated websites through which they defrauded  candidates for the February/ May West African Examination Council (WAEC).

    Parading the suspects on Friday in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the suspects used the websites to defrauded candidates between N40,000, N70,000, N90,000 and N120,000 respectively.

    He said the suspects were arrested from different locations across the country.

    The force PRO gave the names of the suspects as Chijoke Onwuachu Modestus ‘M’, a 300 level student of Computer Science Micheal Okpara University, Umudike, Patrick Uchechukwu Nwodo ‘M’ 30 years old, Samuel Odinaka Onwurah age 20 years old ‘M’, and Okon Effiong Joseph ‘M’ who is 20 years old 200 level student of Public Health Department University of Calabar.

    Moshood advised parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards not to patronize these rogues’ websites.

    He added that all the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation by the police.

    “The suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigation, while effort is being intensified to arrest other operators of these illegal/rogue websites still at large.

    “Meanwhile, members of the Public are assured of the renewed commitment and dedication of the Force to stamp out criminality throughout the country,” he added.