Summary:
The sharp drop in performance in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has sparked outrage and concern among parents, teachers, student groups, and education stakeholders, who blamed the failure on systemic issues.
WAEC revealed that only 38.32% of the 1.97 million candidates obtained credit in five subjects including English and Mathematics, a 33.8% drop from 72.12% in 2024.
A parent from Imo State, Oluchi Kalu, attributed the failure to harsh exam conditions, including late-night exams due to leaked papers, with students relying on candles and torchlights amidst power outages.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) blamed “system failure,” especially the handling of the leaked English paper, which forced students to sit exams late into the night, often without food or rest.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) likened the situation to UTME glitches, noting the psychological toll and poor exam coordination. The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) pointed to inadequate teaching staff, unaffordable textbooks, and lack of student motivation due to poor job prospects after schooling.
They collectively urged the government to invest in teacher recruitment and training, improve school infrastructure, provide power supply, and motivate students and teachers to rescue Nigeria’s declining education sector.
