SECONDARY SCHOOL END-OF-WAEC CELEBRATIONS: STAKEHOLDERS RAISE CONCERN OVER RISING MORAL DECADENCE AMONG STUDENTS

Concerned education stakeholders and community leaders have expressed deep concern over disturbing scenes emerging from some secondary schools following the completion of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), popularly known as WAEC. Traditionally, the completion of the examination marks a significant milestone in the lives of students, symbolizing years of dedication, perseverance, and academic pursuit. It is a period that should be characterized by gratitude, reflection, and hope for a brighter future. However, recent videos and reports circulating on social media have shown some students engaging in inappropriate conduct during end-of-examination celebrations. Of particular concern are incidents involving male students touching and fondling female counterparts under the guise of celebrating the end of their examinations. Observers have described the trend as disturbing and a reflection of the gradual erosion of moral values among young people. They stressed that while students have every reason to celebrate the completion of a major academic exercise, such celebrations must be conducted responsibly and within acceptable moral and social boundaries. Education experts noted that academic achievement should be accompanied by sound character, discipline, and respect for human dignity. They warned that actions perceived as harmless fun could easily lead to misconduct, emotional harm, and regrettable consequences. Stakeholders have therefore called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, community elders, and government agencies to intensify efforts toward character development and moral guidance for young people. According to them, building responsible citizens requires a balanced approach that combines academic excellence with ethical values and personal discipline. They emphasized that true success is not measured solely by examination results but also by the values individuals uphold, the respect they show others, and the integrity they demonstrate in everyday life. As students across the country celebrate the completion of their WAEC examinations, stakeholders urged them to make memories that reflect excellence, responsibility, and ambition rather than actions capable of tarnishing their reputation or compromising their future. “Education without character is incomplete. The future belongs not only to the intelligent but also to the disciplined,” the stakeholders stated. They further encouraged schools and parents to organize structured and supervised activities that promote positive celebrations while reinforcing the virtues of respect, self-control, and responsible conduct among students.