The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates, Second Series, revealing a mixed bag of performance indicators and highlighting the persistent issue of examination malpractice. A total of 38,316 candidates participated in the examination, comprising 17,596 males and 21,131 females, with a small fraction of 1,354 registered candidates absent. This examination series serves as an avenue for individuals who missed the regular WASSCE session or wish to improve their previous grades, contributing to the broader educational landscape of West Africa. The results offer insights into the academic preparedness of these private candidates and the effectiveness of their study efforts.
The examination process, however, was not without its challenges. WAEC, in its commitment to upholding the integrity of the examination, detected instances of examination malpractice during the marking exercise. As a result, the subject results of 303 candidates have been temporarily withheld pending further investigation. Furthermore, the entire results of 108 candidates have been withheld, indicating more severe or widespread malpractice involvement. This proactive measure underscores WAEC’s dedication to ensuring a fair and credible assessment process, protecting the value of the WASSCE certificate. The investigation into these cases will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include cancellation of results or other sanctions.
A closer examination of the results reveals varied performance across different subject areas. In English Language, a core subject crucial for communication and further education, 54.79% of the candidates achieved grades ranging from A1 to C6, considered a satisfactory performance. However, a significant 13.45% of candidates received an F9, indicating a failure in the subject. This disparity highlights the need for improved English language proficiency among private candidates. In Mathematics, another fundamental subject, the results showed a near-equal split between success and failure, with 37.44% achieving A1 to C6 and 37.42% receiving an F9. This almost even distribution emphasizes the challenges faced by candidates in mathematics and the need for targeted interventions to enhance mathematical understanding and performance.
Integrated Science, a subject that integrates concepts from various scientific disciplines, saw 53.31% of candidates achieving A1 to C6, while 18.46% received an F9. This performance, while better than mathematics, still indicates a significant portion of candidates struggling with scientific concepts. Social Studies emerged as the subject with the highest success rate, with a remarkable 87.88% of candidates attaining grades A1 to C6. Conversely, only 5.76% failed the subject. This strong performance in Social Studies suggests a good grasp of social issues and concepts among private candidates. The varying performance across these subjects underscores the need for tailored educational interventions to address specific subject weaknesses and ensure a more balanced academic development among candidates.
Beyond the academic performance itself, WAEC has issued a stern warning to candidates regarding the activities of fraudulent individuals who claim to possess the ability to alter examination results for a fee. These unscrupulous individuals prey on the anxieties of candidates, particularly those who may not have performed as well as they hoped. WAEC, however, assures the public that its database remains secure and impervious to such manipulations. The council emphasizes the verifiable nature of the results, encouraging candidates to rely solely on the official channels for result verification. This warning serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of vigilance against fraudulent activities and the need to maintain trust in the integrity of the examination process.
Candidates eager to access their results can do so conveniently online through the WAEC website at www.waecgh.org. This online platform provides a secure and efficient method for result checking, allowing candidates to access their performance data promptly. The availability of results online underscores WAEC’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance service delivery and provide timely information to candidates. The release of these provisional results marks a significant step in the academic journey of these private candidates, offering them an opportunity to progress to higher education or pursue other career paths. The results also provide valuable feedback for educational stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and strengthen the education system as a whole.
