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WASSCE: State debts delay release of results, parents, candidates worry

Published

5 months ago

August 21, 2024

WASSCE: State debts delay release of results, parents, candidates worry

Parents and candidates are in a state of distress as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) withholds results of candidates whose state governments are yet to pay for the 2024 West African Senior SecondaryCertificate Examination (WASSCE).

The debt, which allegedly amounts to billions of Naira, has led to the delay in the release of results, causing anxiety and uncertainty among students and parents.

This delay threatens to derail students’ admissions to higher institutions, creating widespread frustration.

Students and parents in Lagos, Ogun and other states are grappling with increasing frustration as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) withholds WASSCE results over alleged unpaid fees. This situation has heightened concerns about missing crucial university admission deadlines.

The failure of some state governments to pay the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees has resulted in a plethora of problems for students, including delayed results, withheld results, disruption of academic plans, emotional distress, and loss of opportunities.

In Lagos, a man who simply identified himself as Mr. Tunde, whose child sat the examination at Epe Senior Grammar School, in Epe, Lagos expressed his frustration after the school refused to accept his offer to pay for the exam directly so he could get his daughter’s results. “I was ready to pay for my child’s exam, but the school refused to collect the money,” Mr. Tunde told FTN.

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The school cited the state government’s failure to settle some outstanding fees as the reason why WAEC has refused to upload the results.

Other Lagos schools yet to get the WASCCE results, FTN investigations reveal are: Odomola Secondary School,Epe; Okemagba Senior High School, Epe; Ogunmodede Senior College. Papa, Epe; St. Patrick Senior School, Epe; and Army Senior High School, Epe. Others are Wahab Folawiyo Comprehensive High School, Lagos Island; Boys Senior Grammar school, Lagos Island and Girls Senior Grammar School, Lagos Island.

In Ogun State, a parent identified as “Mummy Twins,” whose child attended Iganmode Grammar School 2 in Ota, Ogun State, is distressed over her twin daughters’ withheld results. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, WAEC has yet to release the results.

“I’m worried and frustrated that I can’t access my children’s results. As a parent, it’s disturbing to be kept in the dark about their performance,” she lamented.

Mrs. Bamidele, whose children attend Pakoto High School in Ayede, Ifo, also voiced her frustration.

Despite providing all necessary documentation and meeting the school’s requirements, she was shocked to find that her children’s results remain inaccessible. “I did everything the school asked me to do, and I have evidence of everything,” Mrs. Bamidele said. “But now, WAEC is saying that my children can’t see their results. It’s not fair. Other children in private schools have already received their results and are moving on with their lives. My children are being left behind.” It is not clear if Mrs Bamidele’s inability to access the children’s results is because Ogun State is yet to pay for its public schools candidates.

Unfortunately, WAEC is not helping matters as it has refused to mention the names of states still owing the organisation on account of which some results are withheld.

The delay is taking a toll on students as well.

Adebowale Bukola from Iganmode Grammar School is anxiously waiting for her results while her peers from other schools, especially private schools, have already received theirs. Olatunji David from Pakoto High School is similarly distressed, unable to proceed with his plans despite his diligent preparation for the exams.

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WAEC’s Head of Public Relations and Corporate Affairs, Moyo Adeyegbe explained that results are withheld until states fulfil their financial obligations to the council, but could not specify which states are affected. According to her, some states do part-payment but said results are only released for states that have completed their financial obligations.

She explained that results are released as payments are received. FTN learnt that Ondo State students got their results on Monday, showing that the state just completed its payment to the council.

Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, while reacting to the incident, said that Lagos State does not owe WAEC, asserting that the state settled its fees to the council in March.

“Lagos is not owing WAEC. Such rumours are peddled every year, but there is nothing to them,” Omotoso stated. He challenged anyone with contrary evidence to present it.

Also, the spokesperson for Lagos Ministry of Education, Genius Lawal, reiterated that the state government is not in arrears with WAEC, having paid over N1.5 billion before the examination began. “We pay examination fees of all our public school students every year without default, we paid over N1.5bn this year,” the Ministry said.

Asked why students’ results are still withheld despite payment of WASCCE fees by a state like Lagos for example, WAEC’s PR said she could not provide the list of states still indebted to the council because it was beyond the purview of her job.

Besides, she explained that there are other terms of engagement between the council and the states, noting that only the Head of WAEC Nigeria has full details of the contracts with state governments and the reasons behind the delays.

Unfortunately, the head of WAEC in Nigeria, she said, is currently out of the country and could not be reached to provide further details.

She however assured that results would be released as soon as the states meet their financial obligations.

WASSCE: State debts delay release of results, parents, candidates worry

News

JUST IN: Tinubu arrives Abu Dhabi for sustainability week

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2025

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan

JUST IN: Tinubu arrives Abu Dhabi for sustainability week

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Sunday to participate in the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

President Tinubu touched down at 2:14 a.m. local time and was received by Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Themed “The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress,” this year’s ADSW summit will see President Tinubu highlighting Nigeria’s achievements and reforms in energy sufficiency, transportation modernization, public health improvements, and economic development.

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His presence underscores Nigeria’s commitment to tackling global challenges through sustainable and cooperative strategies.

During the summit, the President is expected to hold bilateral discussions with UAE leaders, focusing on strengthening ties and exploring shared opportunities.

President Tinubu is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and other senior officials.

He is slated to return to Nigeria on Thursday, January 16.

ADSW 2025, a globally recognized event for sustainability innovation, brings together business leaders and civil society representatives to advance sustainable development and foster economic progress.

Over its 15-year history, the summit has established itself as a key platform for forging partnerships and driving impactful initiatives in clean energy and global growth.

JUST IN: Tinubu arrives Abu Dhabi for sustainability week

News

Delta Gov Oborevweri sacks commissioner for information

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2025

Trends Admin

Delta Gov Oborevweri sacks commissioner for information

Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevweri, has sacked his Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza.

The governor has reportedly directed the state Commissioner for Works (Rural roads), Charles Aniagwu, to take over the affairs of the ministry.

Director General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communication, Dr. Fred Latimor Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development.

“Charles Aniagwu will take over the two ministries (Works and Information) for the meantime,” he stated.

It was learnt that Osuoza was sacked after a series of complaints of alleged incompetence.

Aniagwu had served as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) and Commissioner for Information during ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s eight year tenure.

News

Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

Published

1 week ago

January 7, 2025

Trends Admin

President Biola Ahmed Tinubu and Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama

Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has assured Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama, that he can count on Nigeria’s support.

The remark was made on Tuesday during Mahama’s inauguration ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra.

He noted that Ghana has answered the question of whether Africa is capable of democratic and productive endeavors, and that it is time for Africa’s critics to stop asking the continent to prove itself.

The Nigerian president emphasized the importance of African unity and cooperation, adding that the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is a guiding spirit for African progress. Tinubu urged African nations to avoid conflict and choose peaceful dialogue to resolve differences while resisting external forces that seek to divide them.
Addressing Mahama, Tinubu said, “My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you.”

Tinubu’s remarks read:

It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.

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We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.

The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.

While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.

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The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.

May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.

Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.

Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.

President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.

I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.

May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.

God bless Ghana and its Beloved People.

God bless Nigeria and its Beloved People

God bless ECOWAS

God bless our Beloved Africa.

I thank you for your kind attention.