Senate to investigate mass failure in WAEC exams

The Senate has directed its Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) to interact with the Minister of Education to identify the causes of mass failure in the Senior Secondary Examination conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Umaru Kurfi (Katsina Central).

Kurfi described the recurring mass failure in the country since 2009 as embarrassing.

“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.

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 needs some reforms,” Saraki said.