The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Tolani Alli-Balogun, has expressed deep concern over the declining performance of students in state-owned schools in the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO). He challenged school principals to be more committed to their responsibilities in reversing the trend.
Speaking at a recent strategic meeting with the Permanent Secretaries/Tutors-General of the state’s six education districts and their respective school principals, Alli-Balogun lamented that students’ performance in external exams, particularly the last school-based WASSCE, did not reflect the state government’s significant investment in education.
Under Lagos State’s free education policy, the government covers WAEC registration fees for all SS3 students in public schools, an initiative that costs billions of Naira annually. However, students must personally fund their NECO registration if they choose to take the exam.
The commissioner stressed that the government expects improvements in students’ academic performance rather than the decline seen in recent years. While he did not provide specific statistics on WAEC results, he proposed key measures to address the issue and drive better outcomes.
One of the major reforms suggested was the end of automatic promotion from SS2 to SS3. Instead, only academically capable students would be allowed to progress to their final year and sit for the SSCE. Alli-Balogun believes this policy would motivate students to work harder, knowing that only those who meet the required academic standard would be promoted and qualify for the free SSCE exam.
“This will encourage healthy competition, improve overall performance in external exams, and ultimately enhance the quality of education in Lagos State,” he stated.
Additionally, the commissioner urged school principals to reinstate extracurricular activities that enhance students’ learning abilities, stimulate their physical and mental well-being, and develop their creativity. He highlighted the importance of activities such as sports, essay and debate competitions, arts and crafts, music, and drama, emphasizing that these would help produce well-rounded students.
Alli-Balogun reiterated the government’s commitment to improving education standards in the state and called on all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring better academic outcomes for students.
