Dr. Iyela Ajayi, Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), raised concerns on Tuesday over the 2024 National Examination Council (NECO) results, revealing that nearly 40% of candidates could not secure credits in Mathematics and English Language.
This shortfall is expected to block their chances of progressing to tertiary institutions.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for English and Mathematics teachers in Calabar, Ajayi noted that only 61% of the candidates had achieved five credits, including the critical subjects of English and Mathematics.
Additionally, he cited similar challenges in the 2024 West African Examination Council (WAEC) results, where 28% of students also failed to secure credits in these subjects.
Ajayi emphasized the importance of trained educators, describing teachers as the “backbone” of education.
He noted that without qualified and adequately prepared teachers, even a robust curriculum and improved infrastructure would not advance the country’s educational sector.
This workshop, he explained, aims to equip teachers with modern instructional strategies, assessment skills, and collaboration networks to improve their effectiveness in the classroom.
Dr. Ajayi also highlighted that teacher quality remains a critical issue, with a shortage in both the number and capability of educators across Nigeria.
To address this, he emphasized the NSSEC’s commitment to regular training for teachers, particularly in core subjects.
Representing Cross River’s Education Commissioner, Sen. Stephen Odey, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Emmanuel Ikade, described the workshop as a timely opportunity for the state. He urged participants to use the training to benefit both their peers and students.
One of the workshop facilitators, Prof. Samuel Nneji from Enugu State University of Technology, underscored the need for innovative teaching approaches.
He noted that many traditional methods are outdated, calling for strategies that can better engage today’s students and foster more effective learning outcomes.
As Nigeria grapples with low pass rates in essential subjects, the workshop seeks to empower teachers to support students in meeting the academic standards needed for higher education access, ultimately aiming to improve national education outcomes.