Private Candidates Record Improved Performance In 2020 WASSCE

The results of private candidates who sat for the 2020 (second series) West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has shown an improved performance, in comparison to 2018 and 2019 results of same category of examination conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The results announced this week by council’s Head of National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, shows that 39.82 per cent made credits in five subjects (including Mathematics and English), as against 35.99%  in 2018 and 35.10% in 2019.

Further analysis of the results by Mr. Areghan reveals that a marginal improvement of 4.72%. was recorded in the examination.

Said he, “Twenty Four Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety One (24,491) candidates representing 39.82% obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

“Out of this number, Twelve Thousand, and Forty (12,040) i. e. 49.16% were male candidates, while Twelve Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty One (12,451) i.e. 50.84% were female candidates.

“The percentage of candidates in this category in the WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2018 and 2019, that is, those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, were 35.99% and 35.10% respectively. Thus, there is a marginal increase of 4.72% in performance in this regard,” he said.

Areghan however warned that the performance should not be the basis of judging how well candidates did in the examination as it is considered a remedial one for candidates seeking to make certain subjects.

Of the 61,509 candidates who took the examination, 5,548 (9.02 per cent) have their results being withheld because of alleged involvement in examination malpractice.

He explained that the 66,375 candidates registered for the examination represented a 31.63 per cent in decline for enrolment in the examination, which he said was due to COVID-19.

The WAEC helmsman also announced the opening of registration for the 2021 WASSCE for school candidates three months behind schedule.

Responding to a question on why the registration for the 2021 WASSCE for school candidates just opened, Areghan attributed the delay to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We normally close earlier than now but because of the challenges in the education system, a lot of disruption has taken place. Some schools are still running third term. They do not have any SS3. So because of this we had to take time to allow things to stabilise a bit. Today we are going to roll out materials; schools will collect. They will enroll candidates. And the date of the examination would be announced later,” he said.

Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic also affected the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates – with SS3 pupils writing the examination in August – about five months behind schedule.