Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has voiced serious concerns over the recent drop in performance in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Nigeria. This follows the announcement by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) that there was a 7.69% decrease in the performance of candidates compared to the previous year.
WAEC revealed that out of 1,805,216 students who sat for the examination, only 72.12% obtained credits in at least five subjects, including Mathematics and English, marking a significant decline from the 79.81% recorded in 2023. Additionally, the results of 215,267 candidates were withheld due to examination malpractice, which represents 11.92% of the total candidates.
In response, Obi expressed his concern on social media, describing the decline as a stark indicator of Nigeria’s insufficient investment in crucial sectors such as education, health, and poverty alleviation. He pointed out that despite claims of a literacy rate over 50%, Nigeria remains ranked 187th globally, highlighting the country's ongoing challenges in the education sector.
Obi criticized the current allocation of funds to education, noting that the total capital expenditure for the sector, including the Universal Basic Education Commission, is only N330.3 billion. He argued that this amount is inadequate for a nation with over 81,520 primary schools and 23,550 secondary schools.
Drawing on his experience as the former governor of Anambra State, Obi cited the significant improvements made in the state’s education system during his administration. He emphasized the need for aggressive investment in education to replicate similar successes nationwide.
Obi concluded by congratulating the students who participated in the 2024 WASSCE, particularly those who excelled, and extended his appreciation to the teachers and school management for their contributions to educational development.
0 Comments