WAEC under pressure to address concerns over 2025 WASSCE English failures, Digital marking accuracy

The West African Examinations Council (@waecnigeria) has come under intense public pressure to respond to widespread concerns over the administration and marking of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), particularly regarding the English Language paper.

Candidates, parents, and education stakeholders are demanding accountability and transparency over a series of issues that have cast doubt on the reliability of this year’s results. Social media has erupted with complaints, and education advocacy groups are calling for an official response to the following critical areas:

1. Effectiveness of Computerized Sheets and Digital Marking

There are growing questions surrounding the efficiency and accuracy of WAEC’s digital marking system, especially for subjects like Mathematics and English, which rely on Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) and customized answer sheets.

Stakeholders are asking:

“How effective was the digital marking scheme used for the 2025 WASSCE, and what safeguards were in place to ensure accuracy, given persistent reports of faulty equipment and mismanagement during the marking process?”

Many suspect that system glitches or improper calibration of marking software may have affected scores, particularly in high-volume subjects.

2. English Language Comprehension and Mass Failure

The mass failure rate in English Language has triggered confusion, particularly given that Nigerian students performed relatively well in other English-medium subjects such as Physics, Biology, and Economics.

Critics point to irregularities such as the late-night administration of the English paper on May 28, 2025, which many believe negatively impacted candidate performance.

“Is this failure due to the students’ inability to comprehend English, or are there deeper issues such as poor exam administration or digital marking errors?” one educator queried.

3. Performance Discrepancies Across Subjects

Numerous candidates have shared verified results showing strong performance  A’s and B’s in multiple subjects, only to receive an F9 in English.

This has led to questions about potential index number mismatches, marking errors, or technical malfunctions.

“How can a student fluent enough in English to score well in other subjects suddenly fail English?” asked a school administrator in Lagos.
“WAEC must clarify whether this is a marking issue or a systemic error.”

4. Functionality of Marking Equipment

WAEC is also being pressed to disclose the operational status of its OMR machines and digital marking tools during the examination period.

There are allegations that faulty machines may have compromised marking accuracy, especially for handwritten scripts and multiple-choice papers.

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The public is demanding to know:

“Were all critical marking systems and equipment fully functional throughout the process? If not, what corrective actions were taken?”

5. Investigation into English Language Results

While WAEC has yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the matter, calls are growing for an independent investigation into the causes of the English Language mass failure.

Stakeholders insist that the council must go beyond attributing poor results to candidate performance or malpractice and explore the role of exam timing, equipment reliability, and potential errors in digital marking.

6. Preparedness for High Volume of Script Recalls

WAEC is also being asked to clarify how it plans to handle the anticipated wave of English Language script recall requests, especially from aggrieved candidates.

“Is WAEC ready for the volume of remarking requests coming their way, and how will they guarantee transparency and fairness during the process?” asked a legal adviser representing a coalition of affected students.

7. Manual Marking Demands

Finally, there are mounting demands for manual re-marking of all English Language scripts due to widespread suspicion of system and equipment failure. Many believe this is the only way to restore public confidence and avoid what could become a wave of legal action against the examination body.

“Given these serious concerns, why hasn’t WAEC initiated a manual marking process for English? What’s the body’s plan to restore trust in its examination system?” a parent advocacy group stated in a letter.

WAEC Yet to Respond

As of press time, WAEC has not issued a formal response addressing the mounting concerns.

However, pressure continues to mount for the examination body to offer clear explanations and provide remedies for affected candidates.

Stakeholders warn that failure to do so could lead to loss of institutional trust, legal challenges, and long-term damage to the credibility of the WASSCE.