The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that it has not imposed an age restriction of 18 years on students wishing to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, addressed the confusion during an event in Abuja marking the 2024 International Literacy Day.
Responding to questions from journalists, he described the public’s misunderstanding of the remarks by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, as “highly disappointing.”
Dr. Sununu explained, “The minister was referring to the 18-year entry age into tertiary institutions, a standard practice under the 6:3:3:4 system of education. We never stated that children must be 18 to write WAEC or NECO exams.”
Highlighting the situation further, he said, “It was shocking to learn that some universities in Nigeria are admitting children as young as 10, 11, or 12. While we recognize the existence of exceptionally talented children, there must be guidelines to identify them to avoid unfair restrictions on others.”
He also emphasized that no policy prevents younger students from taking secondary school examinations and that the ministry is working on clear guidelines to address these concerns.
On International Literacy Day, Dr. Sununu underscored the importance of literacy in promoting peace, mutual understanding, and socio-economic development.
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