Relationship between students’ grades in WAEC and NECO Chemistry examination in Anambra State

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Relationship between students’ grades in WAEC and NECO Chemistry examination in Anambra State

Agu, N.N. (Ph.D.)*, Okafor, C.C.
Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Abstract: Chemistry national examination results consistently for two years has recorded low grades in WAEC and NECO examinations. The recurrent poor performance of secondary school students in Chemistry in Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by West African Examination Council (WAEC) in Nigeria is disturbing and embarrassing. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between students’ grades in WAEC and NECO Chemistry examination in Anambra State. Three research questions were raised while three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Correlational research design was utilized for the study. The population of the study comprised 8012, 7628 and 7520 results of secondary school students who sat for WAEC and NECO Chemistry examinations respectively in Anambra State for the 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 academic sessions. The sample for the study comprised 1800 results for the 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 academic sessions obtained through stratified and multi-stage random sampling techniques. Data analysis was done using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Pearson Correlation Critical value table. The findings showed that a positive relationship existed between students’ grades in WAEC and NECO Chemistry examination across the years under review. Again, there is a significant relationship between students’ grades in WAEC and NECO examinations across the years under review. It was recommended in view of the findings that test developers should ensure that rigorous item analysis is done before the administration of questions papers for both WAEC and NECO exams. This is with a view to ensuring that a positive relationship exists between the performances of students in the both exams.

I. INTRODUCTION

In Nigeria, Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by West African Examination Council (WAEC) has recorded a recurrent poor performance of secondary school students in Chemistry which is considered rather disturbing and embarrassing. For instance, the results released by WAEC in 2017 revealed that a high number of the candidates that sat for the examination failed Chemistry (WAEC Chief Examiner, 2017). A similar trend was observed in the most recently released West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) results by West Africa Examination Council which declared that a few number of the candidates were successful in Chemistry (WAEC Chief Examiner, 2018). Government, examination bodies, teachers and parents are, however passing the buck on who to blame for this worrisome trend.

Read More