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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the first-ever Computer-based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB- WASSCE) for private candidates.
A statement signed by Acting Head of Public Affairs Unit, WAEC Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, and the Head of Nigeria’s Office of WAEC, Amos Dangut, on Friday, said a total of 2,519 candidates, amounting to 30.95 per cent of the 8,139 candidates who sat for the examination at 140 CBT centres across the country obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The examination body stressed that 3,424 candidates representing 42.07 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.
The 8,362 candidates who sat for the examination, which was conducted between Wednesday, January 31, and Saturday, February 17, showed a 4.30 per cent decrease in candidature when compared with the 2023 entry figure of 8,738.
WAEC said 3,862, amounting to 47.45 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination were male, while 4,277, amounting to 52.55 per cent of the candidates were female.
Amongst the candidates that sat the examination, the statement noted that 21 were with varying degrees of special needs. Nine were visually challenged, two had impaired hearing and two were albinos.
The examination body also noted that a total of 459 examiners participated in the coordination and marking exercise.
WAEC further noted that the results of 65 candidates, representing 0.80 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination were withheld for various reported cases of examination malpractices.
It, however, admitted that the CBT examination method for WASSCE “drastically reduced examination malpractices,” when compared to reported cases of 413 candidates (4.95 per cent) recorded for private candidates in the 2023-first series.
“These reported cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the council for consideration.
“Thereafter, the committee’s decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates,” the statement added.