The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.

The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.

Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.

The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.

He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.55 per cent.

Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, was 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.

He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.

“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.

The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.

“During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.

“They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.

“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and one Science subject.

“Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,” he said.

He urged candidates who sat for the examination to visit the NECO website to access their results.

Wushishi said candidates can access their results on the NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number.”

Teacher docked for allegedly assaulting 4-year-old pupil

A Female school teacher, Dupe Ehiorobo, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly assaulting a four-year-old pupil.

The police charged Ehiorobo, 45, a teacher at Access Ville School, Ipaja, Lagos with assault.

The woman, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp John Iberedem, told  the court that Ehiorobo committed the offence on May 13 at Access Ville School, Ipaja, Lagos.

According to him, Ehiorobo assaulted the pupil by flogging him mercilessly on his body which inflicted injuries on his back and laps.

He said the class teacher flogged the pre-school pupil for misbehaving in the class.

Iberedem  said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 172 attracts one year imprisonment to anyone found guilty of unlawful assault.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the state government and their addresses be verified.

Kubeinje adjourned the case until  Oct. 10 for hearing.

No Age Restriction for WAEC, NECO Exams, Education Ministry Clarifies

The Federal Ministry of Education has dispelled rumours suggesting that students under the age of 18 have been barred from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.

Dr Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education, clarified the issue on Friday in Abuja during an event marking the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD). He addressed public confusion over remarks made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, regarding the 18-year age limit.

Sununu expressed disappointment over the misinterpretation of the minister’s statement, explaining that it referred to the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions, as per the 6:3:3:4 educational system.

“We were shocked to hear that a university in this country admitted children aged 10, 11, and 12. This is completely wrong,” Sununu said. “While exceptions exist for highly talented students, who may possess adult-level IQs even at ages 6 or 7, these cases are rare. There must be general rules, and the ministry is working on guidelines to identify such talented children.”

He emphasized, “Nobody said children must be 18 before they can write WAEC, NECO, or any other exam. This is a misrepresentation of what was said.”

On the significance of International Literacy Day, Sununu highlighted literacy’s role in promoting peace and socio-economic development. He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling literacy challenges through the Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024-2027), with a focus on youth and adult literacy.

“We must prioritize the role of a learner’s first language in literacy to promote mutual understanding and peace,” he said, adding that well-trained educators must be equipped to teach in local languages.

Prof. Simon Akpama, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult, and Non-formal Education (NMEC), echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of multilingual education in schools.

“Multilingual education fosters peace and cultural respect in our interconnected world,” Akpama said.

UNESCO’s Country Representative, Diallo Abdourahamane, also stressed that literacy is a fundamental human right, essential for building a peaceful and sustainable society.

The theme of this year’s International Literacy Day is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”