Numbers to Watch: WAEC Candidates Lost Over ₦5.812 Billion to Exam Malpractices

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) released a disturbing report on the 2024 examination malpractices, revealing that 215,267 candidates’ results have been withheld.

This staggering number represents 11.62% of the candidates who sat for the examination.

This alarming statistic translates to approximately 12 out of every 100 candidates being involved in examination malpractices.

The financial cost of these malpractices is staggering, with the exam fee alone amounting to ₦27,000 per candidate.

Multiplying this by the number of withheld results, the total financial cost comes out to a whopping ₦5.812 billion this is outside of other logitics incurred in taking the exam.

WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Office (HNO), Amos Dangut revealed that the results are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice.

“This is 4.37 per cent lower than the 16.29 per cent recorded in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023,” he said.

“The increasing use of cell phones in the examination hall, in spite of the existing ban, and organised cheating in some schools, are other nagging issues.”

He noted that all the cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the Council for consideration and final decisions.

“The council will continue to sanction all cases of examination malpractice as schools, supervisors, teachers and candidates perpetrating this evil are not helping the educational system. All hands must, therefore, be on deck to sanitise the system,” he said.

Serious Issue

“This is a wake-up call for us as a nation,” a renowned educationist Dr. Abidemi Akintoye said. “Examination malpractices undermine the integrity of our education system and threaten the future of our youth. We must take drastic measures to prevent this scourge from spreading further.”

The reasons behind examination malpractices are complex and multifaceted.

Some candidates may feel pressure to succeed at all costs, while others may lack adequate preparation or resources.

However, the consequences of such actions can be severe, including denied opportunities for higher education and employment.

“It’s a shame that some candidates would rather cheat than put in the hard work,” said Mrs. Adebayo, a teacher at a local secondary school.

“We need to instill a culture of integrity and academic honesty in our students, from a young age.”

WAEC has pledged to take decisive action against examination malpractices, including collaborating with schools, governments, and other stakeholders to identify and prevent such incidents.

The council plans to implement stricter security measures during examinations and provide education and awareness campaigns on the dangers of examination malpractices.

The 215,267 withheld results and the accompanying financial cost of over ₦5.812 billion serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgent action.

Way forward

Experts contend Nigeria needs to ramp up investment to ensure the delivery of quality education.

There is also the need to promote ethical values, improve exam security, impose strict penalties, raise public awareness, and involve communities.

Additionally, leveraging technology for exam administration can significantly reduce malpractice.

By working together, we can ensure that our education system produces competent and honest individuals who will drive Nigeria’s progress and development.