Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Banjul Office, has released the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results for School Candidates 2025.
This year saw a significant increase in candidature, with 𝟮𝟬,𝟮𝟰𝟳candidates from 𝟭𝟱𝟲 Senior Secondary Schools registering for the examination, representing a 𝟭𝟮.𝟮𝟮% rise from the 𝟭𝟴,𝟬𝟰𝟮 candidates in 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. Of these candidates, 𝟯𝟳.𝟱𝟲% 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 (𝟳,𝟲𝟬𝟰) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟲𝟮.𝟰𝟰% 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 (𝟭𝟮,𝟲𝟰𝟯).
The candidates registered in 40 subjects spanning a broad spectrum, including English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education, as well as Science, Arts, Commerce, Technical, and Vocational subjects.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) in a press release revealed the statistics for this year’s results.
“A total of 𝟵𝟲𝟭 candidates, representing 𝟱.𝟭𝟭% of the 𝟭𝟴,𝟴𝟭𝟵 candidates with complete records, 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀, including the critical subjects English Language and Mathematics. Of this group, 𝟰𝟰.𝟮𝟮%were 𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 and 𝟱𝟱.𝟳𝟴%were 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲,” MoBSE revealed.
While recognising that this result demonstrates commendable effort by the candidates, MoBSE believes that there remains substantial room for improvement in foundational subject mastery.
Delving deeper into performance trends for this year, MoBSE noted that a notable portion of students, though fewer, have excelled across many subjects, with 𝟰𝟱𝟳 students (𝟮.𝟰𝟯%) having credit passes in 𝟵 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀, while 𝟱𝟴𝟴 students (𝟯.𝟭𝟮%) have achieved this in 𝟴 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀.
It is the Ministry’s belief that this demonstrates that some students are performing at a very high level, mastering a broad range of subjects.
“The largest groups of students are clustered in the middle range, with credit passes in 𝟯 𝘁𝗼 𝟲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 – for example, 𝟭,𝟳𝟵𝟵 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (𝟵.𝟬𝟯%) 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟯 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟴𝟬𝟲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (𝟰.𝟮𝟴%) 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀,” MoBSE revealed.
To MoBSE, this indicates a promising foundation for many, and with targeted support, these students can boost their performance further.
MoBSE further revealed that the majority of students (around 17% and above) have credit passes in at least one subject, showing that initial steps towards academic success are being taken.
The Ministry described this as a crucial base, demonstrating engagement and potential that can be nurtured.
These statistics according to MoBSE are based on the majority of candidates, 𝟭𝟴,𝟴𝟭𝟵 (𝟵𝟮.𝟵𝟰%), citing that 𝟳𝟵𝟳 incomplete records are still being processed and may influence the final performance data.
“Additionally, results of 𝟲𝟯𝟭 candidates flagged for suspected examination malpractice have been withheld pending the outcome of the Council’s adjudication process, underscoring our firm stance against any form of academic dishonesty,” MoBSE reaffirmed.
While the percentage of candidates obtaining credit passes in both English Language (19.8%) and Mathematics (7.3%) remains unacceptably low, MoBSE noted the underscoring persistent challenges in these foundational learning areas, indicating the overall results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 2025, provide clear evidence of students’ remarkable capabilities in several key disciplines.
“A thorough analysis of the results reveals that candidates demonstrated outstanding performances in a selection of subjects, with credit pass rates exceeding 50%,” MoBSE revealed.
The Ministry also stated that these achievements are a testament to the potential and resilience of the students when equipped with the right resources, teaching, and encouragement.
In 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰, according to the Ministry, An impressive 𝟲𝟵.𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, signaling that students are gaining strong technical and practical skills, critically needed for the economy.
The Ministry revealed that in 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, with 𝟱𝟮.𝟳% 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, the results reflect solid comprehension of core scientific concepts, essential for STEM advancement.
In 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, according to the Ministry the result of 𝟱𝟬.𝟵%, student performance highlights the capacity to nurture future professionals in health and life sciences, a sector vital for national well-being.
In 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀, according to the Ministry, this subject stands out with the highest pass rate, as 𝟳𝟬.𝟱% 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆.
“This bodes well for the nation’s aspirations in science, engineering, and technology fields.These results present a unique opportunity for the Ministry and stakeholders. While urgent intervention is needed to address the foundational gaps in English and Mathematics, the exceptional performances in technical and scientific subjects must not be overlooked,” MoBSE applauded.
By harnessing these strengths, MoBSE promised to propel the country’s educational system to produce graduates ready to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development agenda.
“The Ministry will therefore: Prioritize sustained investment and targeted reforms in high-performing subjects to further cultivate excellence,” MoBSE revealed.
The Ministry also promised to scale up support for technical, scientific, and vocational education where Gambian students have clearly shown remarkable potential.
Simultaneously, the Ministry vowed to redouble its efforts to improve foundational learning in English and Mathematics, ensuring a balanced and robust education for all.
“These collective actions will help build an education system that not only addresses its weaknesses but also maximizes its strengths, driving The Gambia toward a future where every student thrives, and the country’s economic and social advancement is secured,” the Ministry said.
