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.

“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