Decline In WASSCE Performance: A Call For Action

The recently released re­sults of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) paint a deeply troubling picture. For yet another year, the per­formance of Nigerian students continues on a downward slope, echoing a disturbing trend from previous years. The consistent decline in WASSCE outcomes is not just a reflection of the stu­dents’ struggles but a glaring in­dictment of the systemic failures plaguing Nigeria’s educational sector.

Despite the critical role education plays in national development, the Nige­rian government continues to pay lip ser­vice to the sector. Budgetary allocations to education remain below the UNESCO recommended benchmark, and imple­mentation of education policies is often lacklustre or entirely absent. Apart from a few proactive states making intentional investments in infrastructure and man­power, most others have relegated edu­cation to the background, prioritising short-term political gains over long-term human capital development.

A major factor contributing to the poor performance in WASSCE is the deplorable state of our school infrastruc­ture. Many students are forced to learn in overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated buildings, or even under trees. Laborato­ries, libraries, and ICT facilities, which are essential for a well-rounded educa­tion, are grossly inadequate or complete­ly non-existent in several public schools.

Moreover, the welfare of teachers, the backbone of any educational system, is consistently neglected. Poor remunera­tion, lack of incentives, delayed salaries, and non-existent training opportunities have left many educators demoralised and unable to give their best. When teachers are not well taken care of, it re­flects in the quality of instruction and ul­timately, in the performance of students.

However, the blame does not rest solely on the government. Parents, caregivers, and families must also play their part. Monitoring a child’s academic progress should be a shared responsibil­ity. Many parents today are disengaged from their children’s academic lives, often leaving the burden entirely on schools. A change in this attitude is ur­gently needed.

Additionally, the students themselves must show more commitment to their academic journey. The advent of social media, while beneficial in many ways, has become a major source of distrac­tion. Students are spending far more time on entertainment and social me­dia platforms than on their books. This digital obsession is having a profoundly negative effect on study habits, attention spans, and overall academic focus.

The current trajectory, if not urgently addressed, threatens to push our educa­tional system to the brink of collapse. It is time for a collective awakening. Government must back its educational promises with concrete actions; teacher welfare must be prioritised; infrastruc­ture must be improved; and stakehold­ers, from parents to students, must re­commit to the value of education.

The future of Nigeria rests not in its oil wells or mineral resources, but in the minds of its educated youth. If we fail to rescue the educational sector now, we risk raising a generation ill-prepared to take the nation forward. The time to act is now.

*Obi writes from Lagos (08035079569)