The National Examinations Council on Friday released the results of the 2018 November/December Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.
According to the results, 22,894 candidates or 37.5 per cent failed both English and Mathematics.
The acting Registrar of the council, Abubakar Gana, in a statement, said a total of 59,963 candidates sat for the 28-subject examination.
He said 37,069 candidates or 62.5 per cent passed English and Mathematics.
NECO said 12,084 candidates were caught for cheating in the 2018 examination as against 4,425 in 2017.
The council lamented the rising cases of examination malpractices, condemning candidates’ desperation to make good grades.
The council said, “The total number of candidates registered for the examination was 59,963, while 37,069 candidates or 62.5 per cent got five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics. 22,894 candidates did not make both subjects. A comparative analysis of candidates who scored five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics for 2017 and 2018 represents 56.7 per cent for 2017 and 62.5 per cent for 2018.
“The malpractices committed by candidates during the examination were: bringing in foreign materials, bringing into the hall electronic communication gadgets, irregular activities within the examination hall, seeking and receiving help from non-candidates and impersonation.”