By Samuel Timothy
The Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA) has voiced its support for the Federal Government’s recent decision to prohibit under-18 candidates from sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams.
In an announcement made on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, revealed that the government has introduced a new age policy for secondary school leaving examinations, setting the minimum age at 18.
This new policy means that candidates younger than 18 will no longer be eligible to take the WASSCE and NECO exams, which are critical for advancing to tertiary education.
Speaking to Swage News, the national president of the PTA expressed strong support for the policy. He stated, “I fully support this education policy. The minister isn’t introducing anything new; it’s been a part of our education system. Students should sit for WASSCE or NECO at 18 because by then they have reached an age of maturity. These exams are not suited for those who are still underage. This is the standard we followed; even my own children did not enter university before turning 18.”
The president emphasized that older students are better prepared and mature enough to handle the challenges of higher education, asserting that 18 is the appropriate age for these crucial exams.
Mrs. Dideolu Adekogbe, CEO of Flourishgate Consult, also supported the move, stating that the enforcement of this policy was overdue and should come with appropriate consequences.
She commented, “If the National Policy on Education (NPE) is our guiding document, then it should be adhered to unless reviewed. As long as it remains unchanged, it must be fully implemented. There is no harm in reviewing it, but we must consider the children who are most affected. If countries like Finland and Canada can succeed with their education systems, why can’t we? Our education system has been unstable, but if we get it right now, we can move forward.”
Mrs. Ajibike Bakare, Head of School at Juniper Hill School, Surulere, Lagos, highlighted the importance of balancing cognitive development with emotional maturity. She criticized the tendency to push children into school too early and advocated for vocational training centers for those under 18.
Bakare remarked, “There is often a rush to enroll children in primary school as early as four and a half years old based on their academic advancement. However, emotional maturity is just as crucial. Academic ability alone is not enough.”
She further suggested that the enforcement of the new policy should ensure that children complete Primary Six before advancing to secondary school. Bakare also noted that some secondary schools allow students to take NECO and WASSCE exams as early as 14 or 15, which she believes is another issue that needs addressing.
Bakare added, “The minister and those involved in reviewing this policy might be linking the rise in vices at universities to immaturity. However, this issue often reflects broader societal or environmental factors. It’s unfair to attribute underperformance solely to age.”
Overall, the new policy marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s educational landscape, aiming to ensure that students are sufficiently mature and prepared for the rigorous demands of higher education.
