The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that it has not barred students under 18 years old from taking the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education, made this clarification on Friday in Abuja while responding to journalists’ questions during an event commemorating the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD).
It is worth recalling that on August 25, Education Minister Tahir Mamman stated that the Federal Government had instructed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and NECO not to permit underage children to sit for their exams.
However, Sununu expressed disappointment over the public’s misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the minister’s remarks, explaining that Prof. Tahir Mamman had actually been referring to the 18-year minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions, as outlined in the 6:3:3:4 educational system.
“We have agreed that we are going to consider it as a work-in-progress. The National Assembly is working and we are also working.
“It was shocking to say that a university in this country gave admission to children at ages 10, 11 and 12 years. This is totally wrong.
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“We are not saying that there are no exceptions, we know we can have talented students that have the IQ of an adult even at age 6 and 7, but these are very few.
“There must be a rule, and the ministry is looking at developing a guideline on how to identify a talented child, so that parents don’t say we are blocking their children’s chances.
“Nobody said no child will write WAEC, NECO or any other examination unless at age 18. This is a misconception and misrepresentation of what we have said,” NAN quoted him as saying.
(Daily Post)
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