Education: A Mirror of Society: February 2015

Another Mass Failure? What WAEC Results Reveal About Nigerian Education

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="isSelectedEnd">No one bothers anymore to say, “Not again!”</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The time has passed when stakeholders spilled ink lamenting mass failure in national examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by WAEC and the Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by NECO.</p><p>Year after year, fewer people seem to pay attention to the news because mass failure has almost become an annual routine. Our minds have gradually adapted to it, and many parents and guardians now believe they know their way around the problem.</p></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="isSelectedEnd">While children from poor families struggle, some wealthy parents know where to find so-called “special examination centres” and how much to pay. In some of these centres, candidates are promised good results, and they don't have to sit for the examination. They are assured of obtaining at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, through organised examination malpractice.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">As a result, some unemployed youths and corrupt examination agents make a living from what has become an examination-malpractice industry. To them, it may appear better than defrauding or robbing people directly.</p><p>The illegal business can involve different participants, including dishonest cybercafé operators, school proprietors, supervisors, invigilators, agents and parents. Almost everyone involved receives a share of the proceeds—except the students, whose education and character suffer in the long run.</p></div>
<h2>WAEC Performance and Withheld Results, 2010–2014</h2><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-weight: 400;">The assertion that, there is an increasing level of malpractices in national examination is well supported by data as shown in the table below.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><table><tbody><tr><th>Year</th><th>Candidates with Five Credits, Including English and Mathematics</th><th>Results Withheld</th></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>24.94%</td><td><span>    </span>5.70%</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>30.91%</td><td><span>    </span>5.29%</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>38.81%</td><td><span>    </span>6.73%</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>36.57%</td><td><span>    </span>6.75%</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>31.28%</td><td><span>    </span>8.61%</td></tr></tbody></table></h4>
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<p class="isSelectedEnd">In 2014, 529,425 of the 1,692,435 candidates who sat the examination obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. WAEC also withheld the results of 145,795 candidates, representing 8.61 per cent, over suspected examination malpractice.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Over the five-year period, the percentage of withheld results rose from 5.70 per cent in 2010 to 8.61 per cent in 2014. Meanwhile, the percentage of candidates obtaining the required five credits rose and fell, reaching its highest point of 38.81 per cent in 2012 before falling to 31.28 per cent in 2014.<br /></span><br />The number of results withheld itself is only indicative of malpractices rate and not an exact picture of what transpire in numerous examination centres scattered across the country. Some cases of  malpractices goes unnoticed, ignored or un-penalized. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Likewise, t<span style="text-align: left;">he average pass rate during the five years was approximately 32.5 per cent. This meant that fewer than one in three candidates, on average, obtained five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.</span></div><p>The result was worrying and raised serious questions about the quality of teaching, learning conditions, school supervision, student preparation and the integrity of the examination process.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>More Schools, but Has the Standard Improved?</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">Almost every academic session, new schools are established, often by private individuals. However, the growing number of schools has not always resulted in a corresponding improvement in educational standards.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">In some private schools, profit comes before quality. Some school owners are more concerned about attracting large numbers of students and producing impressive examination results than providing qualified teachers, adequate laboratories, libraries and proper academic supervision.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Government schools also face serious problems.</p><p>In many cases, the government appears to have reduced its role to paying staff salaries and providing only a few basic needs. Classrooms remain overcrowded, instructional materials are inadequate, laboratories are poorly equipped and teachers are not always given the training and motivation required to perform effectively.</p></div>
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<p class="isSelectedEnd">Several observers trace the decline in Nigeria’s education system to the economic difficulties of the 1980s, particularly the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme. Reduced public spending and declining living standards affected education, as they affected many other sectors.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Although there have been periods when increased oil revenue could have supported major infrastructural and human development in education, the opportunity was not always properly used.</p><p>The prolonged strikes by workers across different levels of the education system have also reflected dissatisfaction with funding, working conditions and government policies.</p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Original Outlook for 2015</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">At the time this article was first written, Nigeria was once again facing economic difficulties and a possible change of government. It seemed unlikely that much would change in 2015.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The concern was that unless the government lived up to its responsibilities through targeted policies, adequate funding and proper implementation, no amount of spilled ink would reverse the downward trend in the education sector.</p><p>That concern remains relevant, although later examination results show that the situation has not followed a simple, continuous downward movement.<br /><br /></p><h2>Update: July 2026</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">WAEC performance improved considerably in several years after 2014.</p><p>In the 2024 WASSCE for school candidates, 72.12 per cent of candidates obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. WAEC initially withheld 215,267 results, representing 11.92 per cent of the candidates, over reported cases of suspected examination malpractice.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Nevertheless, examination malpractice remains a serious concern. The presence of withheld results, special centres, collusion, impersonation and the use of mobile devices during examinations shows that the struggle for credible assessment is not over.</p><p>A high pass rate does not automatically prove that educational standards have improved.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Nigeria therefore needs more than higher examination pass rates. It needs properly funded schools, qualified and motivated teachers, responsible parents, honest school administrators, effective supervision and a society that values learning more than certificates.</p><p>Until these responsibilities are taken seriously, the annual argument over mass failure will continue—and another disturbing result will always be waiting around the corner.</p></div>
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Another Mass Failure? What WAEC Results Reveal About Nigerian Education

No one bothers anymore to say, “Not again!” The time has passed when stakeholders spilled ink lamenting mass failure in national examinatio...

ANOTHER ASUP STRIKE LOOMS

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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have announced intent to paralyze academic activities should the Federal Government of Nigeria fail by Wednesday 25th, to implement agreements it signed with the union more than four years ago.</div>
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Members of the union had in 2013 embark on an indefinite strike action that paralyze academic activities in Federal polytechnics, demanding the Federal government to honour agreements it signed with the union. The union later suspend its almost a year long strike action in 2014 after fresh promises were made by the government to meet the union's demands.</div>
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The union has however, reiterated that none of the items on their list of demands have been satisfied. </div>
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Among the union's demanding are, that Needs Assessment Committee be set up to establish areas of infrastructural interventions in polytechnics, constitution of Governing Councils for polytechnics and establishment of National Polytechnic Commission as its obtainable for universities, improvement in salary structure and an end to the discrimination of polytechnic graduates in the labour market. </div>
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UPDATED</h3>
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The union on Tuesday 25th announced it has reverse its decision to down tools in protest of non implementation of agreement signed with the government, the annoncement was made after a meeting with the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau and House of Representatives Committee Members on Education, according to the union, the outcome of the meeting was fruitful and the union is thus shelving its planned strike actions.</div>
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The union said, it received assurance from the Mr Shekarau that all their demands will be looked into, also the lawmakers promised to expedite action on the union's demand, including passing into law a bill establishing a National Polytechnic Commission.</div>
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The union has advised its members to continue to discharge their lawful duty while its leadership pursue dialogue to resolve outstanding issues with the government.</div>
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ANOTHER ASUP STRIKE LOOMS

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have announced intent to paralyze academic activities should the Federal Government of Nigeria fa...

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" title="Free book image" width="400" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This post was first published when free e-book platforms were less common. Some of the websites originally listed have since changed, disappeared or adopted paid subscription models. The list has therefore been updated to include active and legal sources of free books.</span></p></blockquote><p>Information may be freely available, but finding reliable books can sometimes be frustrating. As more publishers and authors embrace digital publishing, the cost and accessibility of books have been positively affected.</p><p>More importantly, many publishers, universities and organisations now make books available to the public at no cost.</p><p>Below are some carefully selected websites where books can be read or downloaded legally and free of charge.</p><p>So, get reading and downloading!</p><h2><a href="https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks">Open Textbook Library</a></h2><p>The Open Textbook Library contains free textbooks covering subjects such as accounting, business, computer science, education, law, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences.</p><p>The books are openly licensed, meaning they can be legally read, downloaded and, depending on the licence, adapted with proper acknowledgement.</p><h2><a href="https://openstax.org/">OpenStax</a></h2><p>OpenStax provides free, peer-reviewed textbooks for secondary-school and university-level courses.</p><p>Its collection includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Business, Psychology and other subjects. The books can be read online or downloaded in digital formats at no cost.</p><h2><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books">NCBI Bookshelf</a></h2><p>NCBI Bookshelf is an online collection of books and documents in medicine, healthcare and the life sciences.</p><p>It contains materials on biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, public health and other biomedical subjects. Most materials can be searched and read online, while available download options depend on the particular publication.</p><h2><a href="https://www.doabooks.org/">Directory of Open Access Books</a></h2><p>The Directory of Open Access Books, commonly known as DOAB, provides access to scholarly, peer-reviewed books made available under open-access licences.</p><p>Its collection covers different academic subjects and languages. Users can search by title, subject, author or publisher and follow the link to the full book.</p><h2><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/">Project Gutenberg</a></h2><p>Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest and largest sources of free electronic books.</p><p>It contains thousands of books, particularly classic works whose copyrights have expired. Books are available in formats such as EPUB, Kindle and plain text, and they can also be read online.</p><p>Readers should still consider the copyright laws applicable in their own countries.</p><h2><a href="https://www.onlineprogrammingbooks.com/">Online Programming Books</a></h2><p>Online Programming Books provides free books and learning materials on programming, computer science, software development, artificial intelligence, web design and computer hardware.</p><p>Users can search by programming language or subject and follow the provided links to books that are legally available online.</p><h2><a href="https://www.planetebook.com/">Planet eBook</a></h2><p>For readers who enjoy classic novels and literature, Planet eBook is a useful option.</p><p>It provides a smaller, carefully prepared collection of classic books in PDF, EPUB and MOBI formats. Since copyright laws differ between countries, users should check whether a particular work is in the public domain where they live.</p><h2><a href="https://www.free-ebooks.net/">Free-eBooks.net</a></h2><p>Free-eBooks.net contains fiction, non-fiction, academic and self-published books.</p><p>A free account allows users to download a limited number of books each month. Unlimited downloads and additional formats require a paid membership, so book choices should be made carefully.</p><h2><a href="https://openlibrary.org/">Open Library</a></h2><p>Open Library allows users to search, read and borrow millions of books online.</p><p>Some public-domain books may be freely read or downloaded, while copyrighted books are generally available for digital borrowing for a limited period. A free account is required for borrowing.</p><h2>Download Responsibly</h2><p>A website offering a book without payment does not automatically mean that it has permission to distribute it.</p><p>Readers should use recognised open-access libraries, public-domain collections, official publishers and legitimate digital-lending services. Authors and publishers deserve acknowledgement and protection for their work.</p><p>This list will be updated as more useful and legal sources become available.</p></div>
</div>

Top Legal Sites to Read and Download Free Books

Editorial note: This post was first published when free e-book platforms were less common. Some of the websites originally listed hav...

The Quest to Find President Jonathan’s PhD Thesis

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This article reflects the questions raised about President Goodluck Jonathan’s doctoral thesis during the 2015 election campaign. Later evidence identified the title and supervisor of the thesis and supported the University of Port Harcourt’s confirmation that he obtained the degree.</span></p></blockquote><p>Among President Goodluck Jonathan’s stated academic qualifications was a PhD in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. According to his profile, he also obtained a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology from the same university.</p><p>Questions were, however, raised about his doctoral qualification because critics said they could not locate a copy of his thesis or easily trace academic publications connected to it.</p><p>A doctoral thesis is normally required before the award of a PhD. However, the inability to locate an old thesis online or on a departmental shelf does not necessarily prove that it was never written. Many Nigerian universities had poor record-keeping systems, and a large number of older academic works were never digitised.</p><p>So, did President Jonathan possess a doctoral degree?</p><h2>The Freedom of Information Request</h2><p>The Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law attempted to answer the question by writing to the University of Port Harcourt under the Freedom of Information Act.</p><p>The organisation requested information and documents concerning:</p><ol><li><p>the title of the President’s doctoral thesis;</p></li><li><p>the year he registered as a doctoral candidate;</p></li><li><p>the name of his supervisor or supervisors;</p></li><li><p>the names of his external examiners;</p></li><li><p>the reports of the external examiners;</p></li><li><p>a copy of the thesis; and</p></li><li><p>the date he graduated from the university.</p></li></ol><p>The organisation also stated that it was willing to pay the cost of photocopying and posting the requested documents.</p><p>The request was made during the controversy surrounding the educational qualification of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.</p><p>However, the two cases were not exactly the same. Jonathan’s PhD was not the minimum qualification required to contest for president. The Nigerian Constitution requires a presidential candidate to have been educated to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.</p><p>A false declaration of qualification could raise a separate legal issue, but the mere inability of members of the public to locate a thesis would not, by itself, establish perjury.</p><p>Under the Freedom of Information Act, the university was expected to respond to the request.</p><p>So, the wait began.</p><h2>What Happened Afterwards?</h2><p>The University of Port Harcourt later declined to release the detailed records requested by the organisation. The university had, however, publicly maintained that Jonathan completed the academic requirements for his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees.</p><p>Later in 2015, further evidence emerged from a University of Port Harcourt School of Postgraduate Studies publication titled <em>PhD Theses Abstracts 1983–2008</em>.</p><p>The publication reportedly listed Jonathan’s thesis as:</p><blockquote><p><strong>“Ecology of <em>Parhyale hawaiensis</em> Dana 1853 and Other Intertidal Talitroids (Crustacean Amphipoda) in the Bonny and New Calabar Rivers Estuary.”</strong></p></blockquote><p>The thesis was reported to have been supervised by Dr I. P. Aleleye-Wokoma and to be 215 pages long.</p><p>The University of Port Harcourt’s postgraduate records also identify Goodluck Jonathan as one of its graduates and state that he obtained an MSc in 1985 and a PhD in 1995.</p><p>The later evidence therefore substantially answered the original question. Although a publicly accessible full copy of the thesis was not produced during the controversy, records of its title, abstract, supervisor and length supported the university’s confirmation that Jonathan completed the doctoral programme.</p><h2>Search Description</h2><p>The 2015 search for Goodluck Jonathan’s University of Port Harcourt PhD thesis, the Freedom of Information request and the evidence that later emerged.</p></div>
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The Quest to Find President Jonathan’s PhD Thesis

Editorial note: This article reflects the questions raised about President Goodluck Jonathan’s doctoral thesis during the 2015 election ca...

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The Quest to Find President Jonathan’s PhD Thesis

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