By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has announced that the results of 28 Grade 12 candidates from 13 Senior Secondary Schools have been withheld due to alleged malpractice.
“The Council wishes to inform the general public that results of twenty-eight candidates suspected to have been involved in examination malpractice from thirteen (13) Senior Secondary Schools were withheld until the appropriate committee of the Council meets and decides on the cases,” stated MoBSE.
The Ministry also reported that a total of 18,042 candidates from 148 Senior Secondary Schools registered for the 2024 examination. This marks a 4.88% increase over last year’s 17,201 candidates. Of the 18,042 candidates, 6,943 (38.4%) were male and 11,099 (61.52%) were female. Gambian candidates registered in 38 subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education, and various Science, Arts, Commerce, Technical, and Vocational subjects.
“This represents an increase in candidature of 4.88% over the last year’s entry figure of 17,201 candidates. Out of the 18,042 candidates who registered for the examination this year, 6,943 (38.4%) were male, while 11,099 (61.52%) were female. In the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2024 The Gambian candidates registered in 38 subjects which included English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education and a host of Science, Arts, Commerce, Technical and Vocational Subjects,” MoBSE said.
Additionally, the Ministry revealed that 1,389 candidates (7.70%) obtained credit passes in five subjects or more, including English Language and Mathematics. On a gender basis, 598 (3.31%) male candidates and 791 (4.38%) female candidates achieved five credit passes or more, including English Language and Mathematics.
“3,317 candidates (19.6%) obtained credit in a minimum of five subjects, marking a 2.7 percentage points improvement from 2023. Furthermore, an unprecedented 23.8% of candidates credited Mathematics, the highest achievement in the subject over the last decade,” the Ministry said.
MoBSE also clarified that the summary of candidate performance is based on complete records for 17,172 (95.17%) out of 18,042 candidates. Approximately 870 incomplete records are still being processed, which may alter the performance statistics once finalized.