Education

UTME: Parents disappointed over low candidates’ performance

Published

11 months ago

May 7, 2025

UTME: Parents disappointed over low candidates’ performance

Some parents in Lagos on Tuesday expressed disappointment and concerns over the low performance of candidates in the recently-concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Some parents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the low performance could be attributed to a number of issues.

NAN reports that the UTME, organised by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), had on Monday released a comprehensive statistical breakdown of the 2025 results.

According to the board’s official figures, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the UTME, with performance across score ranging as follows: 320 and above (4,756 or 0.24 per cent), 300–319 (7,658 or 0.39 per cent).

Others are 300 and above (12,414 or 0.63 per cent); 250–299 (73,441 or 3.76 per cent), 200–249 (334,560 or 17.11 per cent).

The candidates who scored 160–199 are 983,187 or 50.29 per cent; 140–159 (488,197 or 24.97 per cent); 120–139 (57,419 or 2.94 per cent), 100–119 (3,820 or 0.20 per cent), while those who scored below 100 are 2,031 or 0.10 per cent.

A parent, Mr Oluwaseun Oluwajuwon, who spoke with NAN, attributed the low performance to lack of reading culture amongst the candidates.

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“Students’ participation in academic matters is very low, with many preferring social media and other distractions over reading and learning.

“We parents need to really pay attention to our kids. We need to make sure they follow moral standards and ensure they study hard,” Oluwajuwon, a cyber security expert, said.

Another parent, Mrs Saidat Oduwole, a pharmacist, told NAN that the quality of education contributed to the low performance of candidates.

Oduwole stated that the quality of education had been dropping due to the current economic situation, making it difficult for students to access textbooks and other educational resources.

To Mrs Ifunanya Bello, a businesswoman, the low performance of the candidates may not be unconnected with unqualified teachers.

“A significant number of teachers in Nigeria’s education system are not qualified to teach.

“Schools need to employ qualified teachers to enable these children have a sound education that they deserve to merit any position they find themselves in life,” she said.

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An educationist, Mrs Adetoro Bello, attributed the low performance to media influence.

“The widespread use of social media among students is worrisome and this, for me, has distracted them from their studies, leading to a low performance in their examinations.

Another parent, Mr Olufisayo Anthony, called on the management of JAMB to improve its performance, while attributing the poor performance of the candidates to technical issues.

Anthony said that some candidates had complained about the technical glitch they experienced while writing the exam.

“This might have affected their performance. JAMB needs to improve on their performance and ensure that these technical glitches become a thing of the past,” he said.

Mr Stephen Olatunbosun, a fashion designer, implicated negligence on the part of the candidates for the poor performance. (NAN)

Olatunbosun said that many candidates did not take their studies seriously, with some even intentionally seeking to fail in order to pursue education abroad or in private universities.

He also added that some students preferred social media and other distractions over reading and learning, saying participation in academic matters was very low.

UTME: Parents disappointed over low candidates’ performance

(NAN)

Related Topics:candidates Featured parents performance UTME

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Education

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

Published

7 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 UTME Mock results, following the nationwide mock examination conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday by JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, providing candidates with guidance on how to check their results. According to the board, a total of 224,597 candidates registered for the mock UTME, with 152,586 candidates successfully sitting for the test across 989 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide. Candidates can check their scores by sending the keyword “MOCKRESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM number used during UTME registration.

In a significant move to maintain exam integrity, JAMB also announced the delisting of over 20 CBT centres that faced operational challenges during the mock exam. The affected centres experienced server failures, power outages, and delayed test sessions, which disrupted the examination for many candidates. The board clarified that these centres will remain ineligible for future UTME exercises until they meet the required technical and infrastructure standards.

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JAMB further issued a stern warning against fraudsters claiming to manipulate mock or main UTME scores, particularly on messaging platforms like WhatsApp. The board emphasised that such claims are criminal, cautioning candidates that any involvement could result in cancellation of registration, withholding of results, or withdrawal of scores even after the main exam. Candidates were urged to rely solely on official communication channels for information regarding the UTME.

The main 2026 UTME is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 16, 2026. JAMB encouraged candidates to use the mock results as an opportunity to assess their readiness, identify areas for improvement, and familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system. While mock scores do not contribute to final UTME results, they offer valuable insights for performance improvement and preparation ahead of the main examination.

JAMB continues to emphasise the importance of exam integrity, accurate registration details, and adherence to official guidelines to ensure a smooth, credible, and fair UTME process for all candidates.

JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mock Results, Delists Over 20 CBT Centres

Education

WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates

Published

17 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Trends Admin

WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) timetable for school candidates across its member countries. The final international schedule, shared on WAEC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, provides students with a clear roadmap for exam preparation, ensuring they can plan their revision and practical work effectively.

According to the timetable, the 2026 WASSCE will commence on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and conclude on Friday, June 19, 2026, spanning nearly nine weeks of examinations. The exams will kick off with Foods and Nutrition 3 (Practical) Planning Session and Home Management 3 (Practical) Planning Session, marking the start of both practical and theory assessments.

The timetable covers core subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, which are compulsory for all candidates, as well as a broad range of elective papers in sciences, arts, humanities, vocational, and technical subjects. Key science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, while elective options span Economics, Government, Geography, Metalwork, and Applied Technology.

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WAEC advised all candidates to carefully check the timetable, confirm their exam dates with school authorities, and ensure they arrive at examination centres fully equipped with approved materials. The council also encouraged students to use the timetable to avoid subject clashes, prepare for both written and practical assessments, and manage study time efficiently.

The WASSCE is a crucial qualification for secondary school students in English-speaking West Africa, serving as the gateway for university and tertiary institution admissions. The exam is conducted annually in WAEC member countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, and is recognised as a key academic milestone in the region.

With the release of the 2026 timetable, students, parents, and school authorities now have a complete guide to plan study schedules, revision sessions, and exam strategies, helping ensure candidates are well-prepared to succeed.

WAEC Releases 2026 WASSCE Timetable for School Candidates

Education

WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure

Published

4 days ago

March 27, 2026

Trends Admin

WAEC Releases 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE Results, See Details Checking Procedure

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2026 Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for private candidates, marking another milestone in its transition to digital assessment.

The examination body announced on Friday that candidates who participated in the first series of the computer-based examination can now access their results, with full access expected to be activated within hours of the release.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, WAEC noted that the adoption of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format has significantly enhanced the speed and efficiency of result processing, eliminating many of the delays traditionally associated with manual marking systems.

Improved Performance Recorded

A preliminary analysis of the results indicates a modest improvement in candidates’ overall performance. According to data released by the council, about 32.72 per cent of candidates obtained a minimum of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, a key benchmark for academic and career advancement in Nigeria.

WAEC attributed the improvement to increased candidate preparedness, improved examination administration, and the deployment of technology-driven assessment methods.

Malpractice Cases Under Review

Despite the gains recorded, the council disclosed that a number of results have been withheld due to allegations of examination malpractice. WAEC stated that investigations are ongoing and assured that appropriate actions would be taken upon conclusion of the review process.

The council reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of its examinations, warning candidates and stakeholders against engaging in any form of malpractice.

Transition to Digital Examinations

The release of the 2026 CB-WASSCE results underscores WAEC’s broader strategy to modernize its examination system through the adoption of digital technology. The move is expected to improve transparency, reduce human error, and enhance the overall efficiency of the examination process across member countries.

How to Check WAEC Results

WAEC has provided a straightforward process for candidates to access their results online. Candidates are advised to follow the steps below:

Visit the official WAEC result-checking portal at www.waecdirect.org
Enter your Examination Number in the required field
Select the Examination Year (2026)
Choose the appropriate Examination Type (Private Candidate – First Series)
Enter the Card Serial Number found on your scratch card
Input the PIN on the scratch card
Click on “Submit” to view your result

Candidates who encounter delays are advised to remain patient, as access may be staggered due to high traffic on the portal.

WAEC further urged candidates to keep their result-checking details secure and avoid sharing sensitive information with unauthorized persons to prevent fraud.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to continuous innovation in examination delivery, assuring stakeholders that the transition to computer-based testing will further strengthen the credibility of its certificates across the globe.