Education

Reactions Trail Poor WAEC SSCE Results

Published

11 years ago

August 25, 2014

Two weeks after the release
of the 2014 May/June Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), reactions have continued to trail the mass failure recorded in the performances of candidates.
Nigerians have expressed fears and indeed, loss of confidence at the secondary school levels of the education sector following the successive decline in the performances of candidates in the last five years.
Some principals, teachers and other stakeholders who spoke to The Tide on the mass failure attributed the cause to laxity and negligence in the parts of the various components of the sector with a call on all sides to rise to the occasion and nib the situation on the bud.
The Principal, Community Secondary School, Nkpor, Rumuolumeni, Mrs Whiliki J. A. stated that for Rivers State in particular the teachers are doing their best and blamed the situation on the students.
In her words “the teachers especially the newly employed came in with zeal and ready to work. They have fulfilled their part of the show but the students are not ready to learn and even read. They don’t know the difference between reading for examination and other things”.
Whiliki also blamed the situation on parents saying “parents are not helping matters either. They compel these students to use the time for their reading to sell for them not minding that these children have exams at hand. Teachers cannot do it all alone. If the parents fail to play their own part, then it won’t work”.
Expressing hopes of no further decline, she urged parents to partner with teachers and government whom she stated are faithful on their parts to encourage the students towards achieving excellent results in their both internal and external exams.
Another principal of Itans Academy, Iriebe, Mr Mike Uchenna was of the view that teachers have not exercise their best in turning out well read students who could face the WAEC exams independently.
Uchenna also stated that the supervisors and invigilators were almost serving as ‘threat’ to the students saying “the way they go about the invigilating thing put these students off their balance and they can no longer concentrate to write the exams which also contribute to this failure.
A teacher of Economics and Mathematics at the Community Secondary School, Amadi-Ama, Mrs Ikpoki Jonathan maintained that there are too many sides to the coin.
According to her, “one of the reasons is the government’s refusal to look into the welfare of these teachers particularly in the public schools. There is no conducive atmosphere for these teachers to carry out their teaching works.
Also, invigilators are asked to pay between 40 and 50 thousand naira for them to invigilate and so they in turn compel the students to pay same for the exams. Therefore, the children no more read but depend on the money they have paid”.
She continued “unfortunately, most of the people they used for this malpractice are jack of all trade with no definite area of specialisation and so, they can’t get it all right”.
An official of WAEC who pleaded anonymity opined that critical look at the failure reveals that it comes mainly from the Public School Sector.
“The Private Schools particularly with boarding system, take their time to train these students to read. There is no parental interference and the students are doing well.
Government needs to do a lot more for these public schools because right now, malpractice is what is killing these students. They have no confidence in themselves and so cannot pass the exam”.
It would be recalled that the WAEC penultimate Monday announced the release of the May/June 2014 results.
The Head of WAEC, National office, Lagos Mr Charles Eguridu while announcing the results revealed that out of 1,692,435 candidates who sat for the exam, 529,425 of them obtained credits in five subjects and above including English language and mathematics, a figure which he said represented 31.28 per cent, a poor performance in the overall percentage.

Cross section of Shell flag-off campaign on safe route to school at St. Andrew’s State School, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt, recently.

Education

FG, ASUU Set Date to Sign Agreement

Published

12 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government is set to formally sign an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities following weeks of negotiations.

The development may be linked to the 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff proposed by the FG last month and accepted by the union.

A circular issued by the Ministry of Education invited Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of federal universities to witness the signing ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Conference Hall, Abuja.

The circular, dated January 5, 2026, and referenced FME/IS/UNI/ASUU/C.11/Vol.V/82, was signed by the Director of University Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

It was titled ‘Invitation to the Ceremony for the Signing of Agreement Between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.’

The circular was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday and confirmed by the Ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

“This signing represents a critical milestone in promoting industrial harmony and improving teaching and learning in our universities.

“It also reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to the sustainable development of education in line with the Renewed

Attendance at the ceremony was declared mandatory for all invited university administrators, highlighting the importance attached to the agreement and its implementation.

Last month, the industrial crisis that had burdened Nigeria’s university system for 16 years following the 2009 Federal Government–ASUU Agreement saw the union accept the Federal Government’s proposed 40 per cent salary increase for academic staff.

It was reported that the deal, effective from January 1, 2026, would be reviewed after three years

Why FG Shouldn’t Be Blamed for Non-Implementation of Council Autonomy

Under the new terms, professors will earn a pension equivalent to their final annual salary upon retirement at age 70. The agreement also provides for the establishment of a National Research Council to fund research with at least one per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

Other provisions include improved funding for libraries, laboratories, equipment and staff development, greater university autonomy, and the election of academic leaders, with only professors eligible to serve as deans and provosts. The pact also guarantees that no staff member involved in past industrial actions will be victimised.

Education

DSS, Rector Warn Kogi Poly Students Against Vices,Rumours

Published

12 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Kogi State Directorate of the Department of State Services (DSS) has warned fresh students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, that security on campus is a shared responsibility, stressing that carelessness, poor judgment and rumour-mongering pose and ostentatious living pose greater dangers than most real threats.

The Director of the Department in the state, gave the warning in his speech, titled,”MANAGING SECURITY AND RUMORS ON CAMPUS at the 33rd Matriculation Ceremony for the students of 2025/2026 academic session of the Polytechnic on Thursday in Lokoja.

The director, represented by A. S. MUSA, emphasised that while Lokoja remains largely peaceful, no campus is immune from security challenges.

He identified theft of phones, laptops and wallets, infiltration of hostels by unauthorised persons, risky late-night movements and online scams targeting fresh students as recurring threats, most of which, he noted, are preventable through vigilance and discipline.

The security agency cautioned students against behaviours that weaken personal safety, including lack of security consciousness, predictable routines, drug abuse, drunkenness, sexual recklessness, ostentatious living and the lure of secret cults.

According to the DSS director,cultism, often disguised as “protection,” ultimately places students under violent control systems with devastating consequences, while flamboyant lifestyles and careless displays of wealth attract criminal attention.

Our correspondent reports that a major focus of the lecture was the danger of rumours, which the DSS described as “more destructive than real threats.”

According to him,false alerts about kidnappers, armed attacks, school closures or emergency evacuations,often spread through WhatsApp messages and voice notes,have previously triggered panic, stampedes and academic disruption on campuses, sometimes putting lives at risk without any verified danger.School supplies

He, therefore, advised to verify information strictly through official Polytechnic channels such as management announcements, Student Affairs notices and campus security units. The DSS boss warned that forwarding unconfirmed messages makes students unwitting accomplices in spreading fear and destabilising the academic environment.

On personal safety, he also urged students to always carry their identity cards, avoid lonely and poorly lit areas at night, secure their hostel rooms, challenge suspicious strangers and promptly report unusual activities.

He cautioned students to remain calm, obedient to lawful instructions and refuse to act on hearsay, adding that these virtues are critical responses during emergencies.

The DSS director reminded the matriculating students that security goes beyond physical safety to include protection of reputation, mental stability and future prospects.

By rejecting rumours, cultism and reckless living, and by embracing responsibility and alertness, students can be rest assured that Kogi State Polytechnic can remain a safe, peaceful and conducive centre of learning for all.

Declaring event open, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof.Salisu Ogba Usman, matriculated 4,591 students into seven schools and 57 academic programmes of the Polytechnic.

“Of this number,2460 students (54 percent) are admitted into National Diploma Progrmes, while 2,131 students (46 percent)are admitted into Higher National Diploma 1 programmes”,Usman said.

He further reviewed that 19 out of the 57 Programmes currently run by the polytechnic were introduced under the present administration in the state.

Prof.Usmam expressed the continued commitment of the Polytechnic to uphold discipline, transparency,and zero tolerance for all forms of social Vices ,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

“Our emphasis on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-, negotiable and central to our institutional philosophy,” the Rector stressed.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the Polytechnic and to conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families ,the Polytechnic and the nation at large.

Usman said the polytechnic has pursued inclusive leadership by institutionalizing transparency, strengthening staff welfare engagement,and integrating student leadership into governance processes.

According to him the gender distribution is equally encouraging, with 52 percent, male and 48 percent female, representing steady progress in the gender balance of the Polytechnic.

He promised that the “shall continue to uphold discipline, transparency and zero tolerance for all forms of social vices,while promoting peaceful coexistence,responsible leadership and mutual respect.

The Rector stressed that the emphasis of the Polytechnic on security, moral discipline and academic integrity is non-negotiable and central to its institutional philosophy.

He urged the new students to take full advantage of the opportunities available in the polytechnic and conduct themselves in ways that will bring honour to their families,the polytechnic and the nation at large.

“Together we shall continue to reposition Kogi State Polytechnic as a reference point for excellence in polytechnic education in Nigeria,” he promised.

Education

FG Bans Disposable workbooks, introduces reusable textbooks in schools

Published

12 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has rolled out a new education policy banning disposable workbooks and mandating the use of reusable, high-quality textbooks in schools, in a move aimed at reducing the rising cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes and promoting environmental sustainability.School supplies

The policy was unveiled by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaba Sai’d, as part of sweeping reforms targeted at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector and easing the financial burden on families.

Under the new framework, schools are required to adopt standardised and durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years.

The policy expressly prohibits the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks, a practice the government says has inflated school expenses and contributed to unnecessary waste.

According to the ministers, the reusable textbook initiative will enable siblings to share learning materials across academic sessions, significantly reduce recurring education costs for parents and limit waste generation within the school system, thereby advancing national sustainability goals.

As part of the broader reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country.