- The former Anambra governor highlighted the transformative impact of investing in education, which led to significant improvements in the state’s educational system.
- He praised students who excelled in the 2024 WASSCE, acknowledging their dedication and hard work.
Peter Obi, the Labour party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has voiced disappointment over the latest WASSCE results, which show a decline in student achievement.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) released the results on August 12, revealing a 7.69% decrease in student performance compared to the previous year, as reported by News About Nigeria.
According to Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Organisation, many students failed to achieve credits in essential subjects like Mathematics and English Language.
On August 19, Obi issued a statement describing the decline as a warning sign for Nigeria to boost investment in vital sectors like education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
He referenced the WAEC report, highlighting a significant drop in the percentage of students achieving credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, from 79.81% to 72.12% in one year.
“The recent announcement by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) that it recorded a 7.69 percent decrease in the performance of candidates who sat for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Nigeria reaffirms the worrying lack of investment in the critical areas of development, education, health and pulling people out of poverty,” Obi wrote on X.
” The report reads in part, “Compared to last year’s 79.81 percent, WAEC said the percentage of candidates who obtained credits and above a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics this year, is 72.12 percent.” This constant decline in our educational performance and other critical areas demands urgent attention and action.
“With our claimed literacy rate of over 50%, we are still ranked 187 on the global scale of literacy, reflecting a visible lack of commitment to education in the country. Our investment in education, as with other critical areas, remains poor.
“A total capital expenditure for the entire education sector, including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), was allocated N330.3 billion. For a country with about 81,520 schools at the primary level and 23,550 schools at the secondary level, such an amount is visibly poor. The aggressive investment in education we made in Anambra State under my administration greatly transformed education in the State, and still bears fruits to this day.
“I sincerely congratulate all the students who sat for the 2024 WASSCE, especially those who made impressive results. I applaud their efforts, hard work, and dedication to their studies, which paid off.
“And to their respective schools, management, staff, and teachers – I especially celebrate you all. Your contributions to the educational growth and overall development of our society remain laudable.
“In the famous words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Our commitment to a New Nigeria where education will be prioritized remains firm.
“A New Nigeria is possible! – PO.”