
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of the 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results.
The examination body also said that it blacklisted two supervisors in Oyo and Lagos states and one examination centre in Borno state for being involved in examination malpractices in the 2023 SSCE external.
NECO’s Registrar/Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Wushishi disclosed this while briefing journalists in Minna during the release of the 2023 SSCE external results.
According to him, the two supervisors were blacklisted for poor supervision, inability to control the candidates, and aiding and abetting, while the centre in Borno was blacklisted for aiding and abetting for sharing WhatsApp messages with candidates.
Wushishi said that 8,518 candidates were booked for various forms of malpractices, adding that the examination malpractices cases included two centers in Kaduna and Ogun states involved in whole center cases.
Announcing the results said that 74,950 candidates registered for the examinations out of which 74,342 sat for the examination.
He said: “The number of candidates that sat for the English Language is 73,123 out of which 55,272 representing 75.59 percent got Credit and above.
“The number of candidates that sat for Mathematics is 73,119 out of which 67,815 representing 92.75 percent got Credit and above.
“The number of candidates that got five Credits and above including English and Mathematics is 50,066 representing 67.35 percent. Also, 63,539 candidates representing 84.11 percent get five Credits and above irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.”
The Registrar also launched the automated annual posting calendar to address the problems associated with posting the Council’s staff for out-of-station assignments.
He said that the e-posting calendar would address the lopsidedness and favoritism that trail staff posting for various assignments.
To combat the scourge of academic malpractice, concerted efforts must be made to address its root causes. This necessitates a multi-faceted approach that encompasses both preventive and punitive measures. Educational stakeholders, including policymakers, school administrators, teachers, and parents, must collaborate to instill a culture of academic integrity from an early age. This entails promoting ethical values, fostering a sense of responsibility, and cultivating critical thinking skills among students. Additionally, robust mechanisms for monitoring, detection, and deterrence of malpractice must be implemented to uphold the sanctity of examinations and ensure a level playing field for all candidates.
The release of the 2023 NECO SSCE External results serves as a stark reminder of the challenges confronting our educational system, particularly the pervasive issue of academic malpractice. While the achievements of successful candidates deserve commendation, the specter of malpractice underscores the urgent need for reform and vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of examinations. As we reflect on these results, let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culture of academic integrity, where honesty, diligence, and ethical conduct are upheld as indispensable virtues in the pursuit of knowledge and excellence. Only through collective action and unwavering dedication can we ensure that the future generations inherit an educational system founded on principles of integrity, fairness, and meritocracy.