Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023, poll, Mr. Peter Obi has demanded urgent government attention to education following report by West African Examinations Council, WAEC, that it recorded a 7.69 percent decrease in the performance of candidates, who sat for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE.
The former Anambra State governor said that the decline in the country’s educational performance demands urgent action.
Obi on his social media handle, X on Monday, said: “The recent announcement by WAEC, that it recorded a 7.69 percent decrease in the performance of candidates, who sat for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, in Nigeria reaffirms the worrying lack of investment in the critical areas of development, education, health and pulling people out of poverty.
“The report reads in part, ‘Compared to last year’s 79.81 percent, WAEC said the percentage of candidates who obtained credits and above a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics this year, is 72.12 percent.’
“This constant decline in our educational performance and other critical areas demands urgent attention and action.
“With our claimed literacy rate of over 50 percent, we are still ranked 187 on the global scale of literacy, reflecting a visible lack of commitment to education in the country. Our investment in education, as with other critical areas, remains poor.
“A total capital expenditure for the entire education sector, including the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, was allocated N330.3 billion.
READ ALSO: N21m jumbo pay: Account for NASS running costs, SERAP tells Akpabio, Abbas
“For a country with about 81,520 schools at the primary level and 23,550 schools at the secondary level, such an amount is visibly poor.
“The aggressive investment in education we made in Anambra State under my administration greatly transformed education in the State, and still bears fruits to this day.
“I sincerely congratulate all the students who sat for the 2024 WASSCE, especially those who made impressive results. I applaud their efforts, hard work, and dedication to their studies, which paid off.
“And to their respective schools, management, staff, and teachers, I especially celebrate you all. Your contributions to the educational growth and overall development of our society remain laudable.
“In the famous words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’
“Our commitment to a New Nigeria where education will be prioritized remains firm. A new Nigeria is possible,” he added.
