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| WASSCE 2025 Mass Failure Sparks Outrage |
The recently released WASSCE 2025 results have triggered national outrage, following a shocking mass failure in English Language and Mathematics. Out of 1,969,313 candidates, only 38.32% secured credit passes in five subjects including English and Maths, a drastic drop compared to 72.12% in 2024.
Concerned stakeholders—including parents, teachers, and education advocacy groups—are now calling for a cancellation and retake of the English Language paper, citing severe irregularities during its administration.
Why Parents and Teachers Are Demanding a Retake
Members of the Concerned Parents and Educators Network (CPE) expressed outrage over reports that some students sat for the English Language exam as late as 10:30 PM, using mobile phone flashlights in mosquito-infested and rain-drenched classrooms.
Adegoke Bimpe Atoke, a CPE member, wrote:
“Mass failure in Mathematics and English. 450-word essays written under rain with torchlight at night. Our system is collapsing. We need urgent reforms.”
Similarly, Abiodun Adesanya Adeleke urged the relevant authorities to re-administer the English Language exam:
“Students writing till 9:00 PM in such conditions is unacceptable. That cannot be called a standardized examination.”
Systemic Failures Exposed
While some teachers, like Mr. Adebayo Ifeoluwa from Lagos State, confirmed that exams in their regions started and ended on time, others argue the situation differs across locations.
“No WASSCE paper is scheduled for nighttime,” he noted. “If it happened, then something went wrong administratively.”
Another commentator, Rex Oscar, questioned whether the mass failure could be blamed solely on the students:
“You cannot convince me that over 70% of SS3 students didn’t study. Even high JAMB scorers failed English. This points to something deeper.”
WAEC’s Role: Exam Irregularities or Reform Measures?
In defense, sources within the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) claimed that the poor results may be linked to the new anti-malpractice strategies implemented this year.
Among these measures was the serialization of objective questions, where each student received the same questions but in different sequences. This made copying nearly impossible, significantly reducing cheating incidents.
“Question number one for one candidate might be number 20 for another,” a WAEC source explained. “This led to genuine assessments, but many students were unprepared.”
NAPTAN Speaks: Blame Goes Beyond Students
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) added their voice to the conversation. Its president, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, said while cheating may have reduced, fundamental issues within Nigeria’s education system remain unresolved.
“Many states are not recruiting new teachers. Parents can’t afford textbooks. Teachers are demoralized and underpaid. What results can we expect in such conditions?”
He added that real reform must include:
- Adequate teacher recruitment
- Improved educational infrastructure
- Better teacher welfare
- Active parental involvement
Shocking WASSCE Result Comparison
| Year | Total Candidates | 5 Credits incl. English & Math | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,624,187 | ~1.17 million | 72.12% |
| 2025 | 1,969,313 | 754,545 | 38.32% |
Learn more about the WASSCE grading system and how results are assessed.
What Should Happen Next?
In light of the widespread dissatisfaction and anomalies, stakeholders are calling for:
- Government-led investigations into the 2025 exam process
- Cancellation and re-administration of compromised papers (especially English Language)
- A long-term strategic overhaul of Nigeria’s public education system
- How to Prepare for WASSCE Without Cramming
- WAEC vs JAMB: Why Performance Differs
- 10 Most Common WAEC Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Final Thoughts
The 2025 WASSCE results have exposed more than academic shortcomings—they have unveiled the urgent need for education reform in Nigeria. Unless these systemic issues are addressed, the future of millions of students remains at risk.
