*The West African Examinations Council clarifies that the results of 170,146 candidates who sat the examinations this year are being withheld over several reported cases of examination malpractices

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

For committing examination irregularities, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has said it the regulatory body withheld the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results of 170,146 candidates who sat the 2021 examinations.

ConsumerConnect reports the Management of the examination Board in a statement issued Monday, November 22, 2021, said that the results of 170,146 candidates, representing 10.9 percent of the total number of candidates that sat the examinations, are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractices.

Mr. Patrick Areghan, Head of Nigeria National Office, while announcing the release of the 2021 WASSCE result noted that the increasing use of cell phones in the examination halls, and organised cheating in some schools are other serious concerns that constituted the major reason for their decision to withhold the results of the affected exam candidates.

Areghan also frowned on the activities of reprobate Web site operators and some other social media platforms, that always post examination questions online immediately after the commencement of the paper being administered in Nigeria.

The WAEC Head of Nigeria National Office said: “The results of 170,146 candidates, representing 10.9 percent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of examination malpractice.

“The increasing use of cell phones in the examination hall and organised cheating in some schools are other big concerns.

“All the cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the Council for determination in due course.”

On the flipside, however, Areghan announced that about 81.7 percent, representing 1, 274,784 million candidates made credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics in the examinations.

He also said there was appreciable 16.46 percent improvement, as the percentage of candidates in the category in the WASSCE for school candidates, 2020 was 65.24 percent.

According to him, out of the 1,560,261 million candidates that sat examinations, 1,398,370 million candidates, representing 89.62 percent, obtained credit and above in a minimum of any five subjects (i.e with or without English Language and/ or Mathematics.

Areghan stated: “Out of the total number of candidates that sat the examination in Nigeria, 1,256,990 million candidates, representing 80.56 percent have their results fully processed and released while 303,271 candidates, representing 19.44 percent have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some issues being resolved.