WAEC Nigeria,
I’m compelled to go public on this because it has agitated my mind for long and perhaps the minds of other Nigerians. While I could’ve gone private and written you a letter, I chose this medium to give it the attention I personally feel it deserves and thus a solution that may involve as many people as possible. I am curious & want to know how you acknowledge or encourage students that perform exceptionally well in your Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE). We grew up knowing that the SSCE was one of the most important exams one would write in their lifetime. Then we spent many years preparing for it (almighty WAEC) and it determined if one would further their studies or not. Those who did well were celebrated in their communities and I think even nationally. This seems to have changed.
My son, Isa Musa Salmanu obtained 9 distinctions (9 A1) in your 2023 exams. I watched as he worked hard, denied himself sleep and other things his peers indulged themselves in to achieve the feat. I know he sacrificed so much and I kept telling him it was worth the sacrifice. I am appalled however that having delivered his part of the bargain, I’m not able to prove to him that the effort was worth it afterall. As I write you, I know he is yet to get even a mention from you despite the hard work and efforts. Has the quality dropped such that it’s no longer worth celebrating? Does it mean we, as a society no longer celebrate hardwork? How do we encourage the students coming behind to aspire, make such sacrifices and deliver similar results?
As a parent, I’m ready to lead in this direction if there is nothing already in existence, to institute an award for the student who got the best result in the year’s WAEC SSCE starting from this year. I am sure other parents and well meaning Nigerians will be willing to participate or contribute their quota to sustain this. By all means this should be done and I think it’s long overdue.
Yours sincerely,
Very disturbed parent.
Musa Isah Salmanu
Cc
The Governor of Kaduna State
Nigerian Air Force HQ
National Orientation Agency, Nigeria.
Federal Ministry Of Education
Kaduna State Ministry of Education IDB Science Schools Project
