In a startling discovery that raises critical questions about the state of public education in Nigeria, Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students of Urban Day Grammar School, Ibadan, appear to be drifting without direction as the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) approaches. A recent visit to the school by The Nigeria Education News uncovered a shocking scene of abandonment and neglect as students wandered aimlessly across the school premises, unsupervised and unengaged in any academic activity.
With the 2025 WAEC timetable already released—showing the exams are scheduled to commence on April 24 and end on June 20—one would expect an atmosphere of focused preparation. Instead, the school compound echoed with the sound of students’ laughter, idle chatter, and games, with no teacher in sight. Some students were observed chasing each other around, exchanging profanities, and showing no signs of readiness for the critical examination ahead.
One of the students, Kausara, from the Arts class, expressed her frustration with the current state of affairs. “We just come to school to sit and gist,” she said. “There’s no serious teaching going on, and sometimes we just roam the school. When I think of WAEC, I just say ‘na God go help us’ because truly, we don’t even know what to expect in the exam.”
Two other students, Ahmed and Jamiu, shared a similar sentiment. “The only place we learn anything is in the tutorial centers we attend after school. That’s where we get real teaching,” Ahmed noted. “Most of our teachers hardly show up, and even when they do, they’re not consistent,” Jamiu added, visibly disheartened.
Another student, Abeeb, explained that his academic preparation has been largely self-driven. “I’m just trying to revise from past questions. There’s no serious plan from the school, so we have to depend on ourselves,” he stated. Kehinde, on the other hand, admitted that he had shifted his focus entirely. “I’m already learning a trade,” he said. “I don’t think WAEC is a big deal anymore. After the exams, I’ll go fully into my apprenticeship.”
This disturbing trend points to deeper systemic issues within the educational infrastructure, especially in local communities. While national education policies often look good on paper, the real test is in their implementation at grassroots levels where schools like Urban Day operate. Without adequate supervision, teacher accountability, and parental involvement, students are left to chart their futures blindly.
A visit to the school’s administrative office revealed no teachers or academic staff willing to comment. Meanwhile, students freely loitered without any academic guidance. An informal poll conducted among 10 SS3 students revealed that over 70% had no specific career path in mind, while 90% admitted they were not prepared for the forthcoming WAEC exams.
Data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in 2024 revealed that only 39.5% of candidates obtained credits in five subjects including English and Mathematics. Alarmingly, this figure was significantly lower among public schools in rural and semi-urban areas. Experts have linked this performance to poor teacher commitment, inadequate learning resources, and a lack of effective school monitoring systems.
“When teachers don’t show up, and parents don’t ask questions, this is the result,” said Yusuf, another student. “Some of us want to learn, but the environment is just too discouraging.” His words paint a vivid picture of institutional collapse and its ripple effects on students’ futures.
As the WAEC examination looms, students of Urban Day Grammar School face an uncertain future. While some have resigned themselves to fate, others cling to private tutorials as their only hope. Without urgent intervention, these young minds risk being casualties of a system that has, for too long, failed to prioritize their potential.
The situation calls for immediate action from local education authorities, parents, and stakeholders in the sector. As Kehinde put it bluntly, “We don’t even know what the future is. Nobody is telling us what to do or where to go. We just dey.” This chilling statement may well be the defining cry of a generation left behind.i
