WAEC Faces Backlash as 2025 WASSCE Records Worst Pass Rate in Years

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) is under heavy fire following the shocking release of the 2025 WASSCE results, which reveal a massive drop in student performance, especially in core subjects.

According to WAEC, only 38% of candidates secured at least five credit passes including English Language and Mathematics—the minimum requirement for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions. This marks a drastic fall from the 72.12% pass rate recorded in 2024, and is being called the worst performance in recent memory.

The news has triggered a wave of criticism across social media and education circles.

Dr. Richard Ayo-Dairo, commenting on X (@RArakunrin), blamed the failure partly on poor exam planning:

“No one is talking about the WAEC 2025 midnight English Language examination. The outcome definitely has roots in that. Someone should be held responsible for this laxity.”

Others blamed deeper systemic issues.
@FemiOrgan wrote:

“How many students can speak proper English? Even those who can, can’t define or analyze what they say. This is beyond WAEC. It's about what’s going on around us. Empty barrels everywhere.”

Interestingly, despite the poor performance, exam malpractice rates dropped significantly, from 11.92% in 2024 to just 2.17% this year. This is likely due to the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in major subjects like English, Maths, Biology, and Economics.

While WAEC has not officially commented on the backlash, the dramatic decline has sparked calls for a national review of the education