The former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, wrote on his X account that, The recent announcement by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) that it has recorded a 7.69% decrese in the results of candidates who sat for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Nigeria
reaffirms the worrying lack of investment in crucial areas such as development, education, health and poverty alleviation. The report reads in part: “Compared to 79.81 per cent last year, WAEC said the percentage of candidates who obtained credits and
in a minimum of five subjects, including English and Mathematics, this year is 72.12%. This steady decline in our educational outcomes and other critical areas requires urgent attention and action.
With our reported literacy rate at over 50 per cent, we are still ranked 187th on the global literacy scale, reflecting a visible lack of commitment to education in the country. Our investment in education, as in other critical areas, remains low.
Total capital expenditure for the entire education sector, including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), was allocated at N330.3 billion. For a country with about 81,520 primary schools and 23,550 secondary schools
such an amount is obviously small. The aggressive investment in education we made in Anambra State during my administration has transformed education in the state significantly and it is still bearing fruit today.
I sincerely congratulate all the students who sat for WASSCE 2024, especially those who achieved impressive results. I salute your effort, hard work and dedication to your studies, which paid off.
And to your respective schools, your management, your staff and your teachers – I pay special tribute to you all. Your contributions to the growth of education and the overall development of our society remain commendable.
In the famous words of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world.” » Our commitment to a new Nigeria where education will be a priority remains steadfast.
A new Nigeria is possible! he said.
