The performance of students in the results of the 2016 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)  has been described as a considerable improvement on those of previous years.

 In the recently released WASSCE results,  878,040 students out of 1,544,758 that sat for this year’s examination  representing 52.97%, obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

 Some stakeholders in the education sector on Friday  while commending the performance, cautioned that is yet too early to cheer. Rather  urged the government and other stakeholders to intensify effort and identify key drivers that would re-position the sector.

 In his review of the result, the Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Mr Olutishe Adenipekun, described the development as cheering.

 He noted that this year’s performance by candidates was encouraging, when compared to the 31.28% and 38.68% recorded in 2014 and 2015 respectively in the same examination.

 His commendation was corroborated by the National Parent Teacher Association (NAPTAN), which attributed the success to the effort of teachers.

 Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, who is the Second National Deputy President of the NAPTAN, said that the development was a step in the right direction and must be sustained.

 ``I want to give a better part of the credit to the teachers for this achievement because it is like the teaching method and quality of teaching in schools have improved.

 ``We have never had it this good in the past few years and I will just wish that we sustain whatever it is that contributed to this success, especially in Mathematics and English Language.

 ``Teachers should be recognised as being largely responsible for this feat, indicating that they have shored up their level of commitment to the job.

 ``The students too are beginning to realise the essence of hard work and the implications of compromising their future,’’ he said.

 To sustain the trend, he said that government must create an enabling environment for the teachers to give their best.

 Ogunbanjo said that government should also pay attention to the recruitment of more professional teachers in core subjects.

 He urged government to tackle the menace of overcrowded classrooms in public schools.

 ``There is no way a teacher will be able to get the best from students in any class that is overcrowded.

 ``The private schools differ in this regard because they are mindful of its consequences.

 ``We need to build more schools with more classrooms and provide the necessary teaching and learning aids to ensure excellence,’’ he said.

 But, Prof. Duro Ajeyailemi, the former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, said it was not yet time to celebrate the good performance in WASSCE.

 He added that the only way to sustain the trend was by exposing, and re-training the teachers with the latest teaching methodologies.

 The don added that motivating the teachers was also one of the key elements to take the education sector to the desired height.

 He said that students were gradually coming to terms with realities that there are no shortcuts to success.

 Ajeyailemi also spoke on the need for constant review of the school curricula.

 According to him, it will be risky to think that the country’s education is back on track with the recent performance posted by the students in the WASSCE results.

 ``I think it is not yet time for us to start rejoicing until we see that the trend remains a continuous thing,’’ he said.