Less than 45 per cent of those who sat for the 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Exams (WASSCE) passed with credit grade and above, a trend that would seem to have continued from 2013.
The poor performance has been put down to a lack of preparation and teaching facilities, and an inadequate number of quality teachers.
To defeat the menace and also curb examination malpractice, the Head of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) national office in Nigeria, Charles Eguridu, said proper technology had been deployed.
Meanwhile, the examination body said that 19 states out of the 36 states of the federation are owing about four billion Naira exam entry fees for State government sponsored candidates in the May/June 2014 and 2015 WASSCE.
Speaking to Channels Television after addressing a press conference, Mr Eguridu maintained that the body was cash-trapped and was struggling with meeting its financial obligations.
He also noted that the Council may delay the release of results of government sponsored candidates when the council announces the May/June 2015 WASSCE results.
He said: “A total number of 19 states in the country owe the Council in respect of entry fees for state government sponsored candidates for the May/June 2015 WASSCE. Some states also still owe the Council registration fees for the May/June 2014 WASSCE.
“We have written to the affected State governments without any response. The poor response of the ‘debtor states’ is threatening the smooth operations of the Council.
“We therefore want to publicly plead with the affected states to off-set the registration fees of their candidates as soon as possible, as we cannot guarantee that the results of their candidates for the May/June 2015 will be released along with others”.