Lagos State government has revealed that less than 50 per cent of the 58,188 Lagos students who participated in the 2024 West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE), disclosing that 54.3 per cent failed

Speaking on Thursday at the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark the second year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamie Tolani Alli-Balogun, stated that only 45.7 per cent of students passed English and Mathematics.

The commissioner, however, said that the state government is addressing the decline in performance of students in West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and other external examinations in recent time, and devised strategies for improvement, seeking innovative solutions.

“We held strategic meetings with Principals across the six Education Districts to address this decline and called for the exclusive promotion of high-achieving students to terminal class,” he said.

“This measure, we believe, will end the practice of mass promotion of students, which hitherto, has not yielded positive results. It would also encourage intending final year students to work harder, strive for excellence, lead to better academic outcomes, improve overall performance of students and raise the standards of Education in the State.

“We have also called for swift action to revive various school activities that tap into students’ natural learning abilities to stimulate their physical and mental well-being, including reactivation of co-curricular activities that foster holistic development in students.

“We have started implementation of strategies that promote interactive learning, such as incorporating hands-on activities, experiments, and projects. This is aimed at encouraging students to learn by doing, revive sports, physical and health education programmes that promote physical fitness, teamwork and mental discipline.

“This encourages students to express themselves through art, music, drama, sports and other creative outlets that empower them to take ownership of their learning by leading projects, clubs, and organisations that align with their interests. By reactivating these activities, schools can provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in all aspects of life.

“As part of our rules of engagement, Principals and Vice Principals have been mandated to teach for 6 and 8 periods weekly, respectively, and must be reflected in the schools’ time table, while we appeal for change of mind-set towards leadership and maintaining discipline in our school space.

“In the same vein, the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) have been charged to be more effective in discharging its statutory responsibilities and will be expected to forward uncoloured reports of cases of truancy, sexual molestation, absenteeism, negligence to duty, and all untoward conducts on the part of teachers.

“It should also be noted that any Teacher found guilty of immoral acts, examination mal-practices, or who sacrifices good performance for mediocrity, would be dealt with in accordance with extant law.

“As part of these activities, we have reviewed the existing Education Laws and year 2018 Policy on Education to reflect current realities in the sector in line with global best practice.”