Teachers attribute WASSCE success to hard work

Some teachers in the South-South zone have attributed the improved performance of students in the May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to hard work.
The teachers expressed the view in interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the performance of students in the past five years.
They said sustained motivation for teachers would lead to success for students.
Mr Lambert Nwika, former President, All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Rivers chapter, said that teachers taught students using WASSCE past questions as reference.
“It is not surprising that Rivers recorded a very high success rate in 2016 compared to past results which have been poor.
“The success recorded this year could be that teachers finally recognised the importance of incorporating past WASSCE questions in their syllabus.
“I believe that students were taught with the past questions to enable them to fully understand what was expected of them in the exam,” he said.
Nwika said the success could be sustained if teachers were paid their salaries promptly and provided modern tools to work.
Mr Innocent Onyeka, a physics teacher in Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt, said teachers tried to ensure that the students were well prepared for the examination.
“As a physics teacher, I tried my best to ensure that my students understood everything about the subject for optimal performance and for their future.
“Every teacher`s desire is for his or her students to do well in such examination; we really worked hard and prepared our students for the WASSCE.
“I am happy all my students did well in my subject and other subjects. Majority passed all their subjects and are eligible to go for further studies in higher institutions,” he said.
Onyeka also commended students for working hard to pass.
Mr Emmanuel James, an English Language teacher in Nobles Secondary School, Port Harcourt, said students and teachers shared the glory in the success.
“The reason is simple, we worked hard and they reciprocated and that is the reason for the good result.
“My students took extra time to read previous English Language examination question papers and they asked several questions,’’ he said.
James said poor results recorded in the past could be attributed to poor preparation by students and teachers.
He said that both have woken up to realise that it was important to do well and pass.
“We expect that the students will continue to do well even in higher institutions and beyond.
“We will continue to do our best in teaching them and imparting the desired knowledge and prepare them for examinations that will determine their future,” he said.