In a significant development in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, female students have outshone their male counterparts in overall performance, particularly in achieving credit passes in five subjects, including English and Mathematics.
According to data EduCeleb.com obtained from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), a total of 1,814,736 candidates registered for the examination, with 1,805,216 candidates actually sitting for the exams.
The gender distribution was almost equal, with 49.68% of the candidates being male and 50.32% female.
Gender-Based Performance Analysis
The results show that out of the 1,301,941 candidates who obtained credit passes in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, female students constituted a higher percentage.
Specifically, 673,121 female candidates (51.70%) achieved this benchmark, compared to 628,820 male candidates (48.30%).
This performance by female candidates reflects a broader pattern seen in recent years, where female students continue to close the educational gap and, in many cases, surpass their male peers in key academic indicators.
The trend is particularly evident in subjects requiring language proficiency, where girls have traditionally excelled.
Comparison with 2023
The overall performance rate in the 2024 examination marks a slight decline compared to 2023. However, the gender-based performance has shown a steady increase in female academic achievement.
In 2023, the difference between male and female candidates achieving five credits, including English and Mathematics, was narrower, but the 2024 results have widened this gap in favor of female candidates.
Of One Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-Seven, Nine Hundred and Twenty (1,287,920) candidates those who obtained credit and above in a minimum of five (5) subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, Six Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fourteen (616,914) i.e. 47.9% were male candidates, while Six Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand and Six (671,006) i.e. 52.1% were female candidates back then.
Implications for Gender Equality in Education
The results from the 2024 WASSCE underline the importance of continuing efforts to promote gender equality in education across West Africa.
The increased performance of female candidates is a positive indicator of the progress being made in providing equal educational opportunities. However, stakeholders are encouraged to investigate the factors contributing to the decline in overall performance and to address any barriers that may disproportionately affect male students.
Challenges and Malpractices
Despite the positive outcomes in gender-based performance, the examination was not without challenges.
A significant number of candidates, 215,267 (11.92%), had their results withheld due to examination malpractices, including the use of mobile phones and organized cheating. While these incidents affected both genders, there is a need for stricter enforcement of examination regulations to ensure fair and equal conditions for all candidates.
Looking to progress
The 2024 WASSCE results offer a mixed but hopeful picture for gender parity in education. While overall performance saw a slight decline, the strong showing by female candidates highlights the ongoing strides being made towards closing the gender gap in education.
As education authorities and stakeholders review these results, EduCeleb.com believes that there is an opportunity to build on this progress and address the underlying issues that continue to challenge the educational system.
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