Reason for Mass Failure in WAEC and NECO Exams

According to Luke Onyekakeyah, the two most critical factors responsible for the continued annual mass failure in WAEC and NECO exams are the under-aged status of most candidates and a flawed school curriculum. All other factors are secondary. It is baffling that nobody has ever mentioned underage, for example, as an important factor in this crisis; yet, my investigation shows that it is the primary cause of mass failure in school public exams in the country. Common sense would tell you that if you have two categories of students, made up of teenagers of say 15 years old and adults of say age 25 in the same class; teach them the same thing and later subject them to the same examination, the adult group would perform better because of maturity, better developed intellect, exposure and experience. 

   In the same vein, it is preposterous to expect today’s mostly under-aged candidates to record the same level of excellence as candidates of yesteryear, who were mostly adults above age 20 and more matured. The way out is for the authorities to insist on age as a factor in primary one school enrollment. Once that is achieved, it would roll over to the tertiary institutions, where similar problems subsist. 

  Age six (6) is the official primary school starting age in America, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. Whereas, the same applies in Nigeria, it is merely on paper; the rule is not enforced. Most children in Nigeria start primary school at age 4 or thereabout.