Ekiti State Government Refutes Mass Failure Claims in 2024 Common Entrance Examination

Ekiti State Government has refuted recent claims of mass failure in the 2024 Common Entrance Examination, labeling the reports as inaccurate and misleading. Dr. Bimpe Aderiye, the State Commissioner for Education, clarified that the examination results were generally positive.

According to Dr. Aderiye, 16,167 out of 16,361 public primary school pupils, or 97.43%, and 10,675 out of 10,859 private school pupils, or 97.28%, passed the 2024 Common Entrance/Placement Examination. This contrasts sharply with some media reports suggesting a widespread failure.

The Commissioner explained that while the examination results were strong, the real issue lies in the high demand for certain schools, particularly newly established Model Colleges and reputed institutions, which has created a bottleneck. Many candidates exceeded the capacity of their preferred schools, despite several other schools having available space.

Dr. Aderiye provided a detailed breakdown of the examination performance. Out of the 16,593 registered candidates, 16,361 were examined, with 232 absent. The results showed that 13.47% of the candidates scored between 200 and 299, 69.26% scored between 300 and 399, and 14.70% achieved between 400 and 500.

The influx of applications to preferred schools has led to overcrowding, while many other schools still have available spots. Dr. Aderiye urged parents to remain flexible with their school choices and reassured them that all schools in Ekiti are equipped to deliver quality education. The state government has invested significantly in educational infrastructure and resources, including the renovation of schools, construction of new facilities, and procurement of learning materials.

Under the Oyebanji administration, Ekiti State has committed to providing free and compulsory qualitative education up to the Senior Secondary School level. The government has partnered with reputable organizations like the World Bank on various educational initiatives, such as the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and Innovative Development & Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS).

Recent investments include the recruitment of 930 subject teachers, 131 staff for the Board for Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE), and 150 security guards for public secondary schools. Additionally, the state has expended ₦14,293,424,499 on the renovation and construction of school facilities, including classrooms, toilets, and libraries.

The Commissioner advised parents whose children did not meet the cut-off marks for their preferred schools to visit the State Ministry of Education to explore alternative placements. Dr. Aderiye emphasized that every school in Ekiti State is now equipped to offer high-quality education.