The Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA) has expressed support for the Federal Government’s decision to prohibit under-18 candidates from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced the new policy during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics,’ revealing that the minimum age for these crucial secondary school exams is now set at 18.
This move means that students under the age of 18 will no longer be eligible to sit for these exams, which are essential for advancing to higher education institutions.
In a statement to The PUNCH, the national president of the PTA expressed full support for the policy.
He highlighted that this measure is not entirely new but aligns with longstanding educational standards. “When students take the WASSCE or NECO exams at 18, they are at a more mature stage.
These exams should not be for those who are still immature. My own children did not enter university before turning 18,” he said.
He believes that students who are older will be better prepared and emotionally mature to handle the demands of higher education. “This is the correct approach; students should take their exams at 18,” he added.
Mrs. Dideolu Adekogbe, CEO of Flourishgate Consult, agreed that the enforcement of this policy is overdue and should be implemented with strict adherence. “If the National Policy on Education (NPE) is our guiding document, it must be followed thoroughly unless reviewed.
We should learn from successful education systems in countries like Finland and Canada and aim to improve ours,” she noted.
Mrs. Ajibike Bakare, Head of School at Juniper Hill School in Surulere, Lagos, emphasized the need to balance cognitive development with emotional maturity.
She criticized the practice of pushing children into school too early and suggested that vocational training centers be established for younger students to acquire valuable skills before university.
Bakare also pointed out that enforcing the policy should ensure children complete necessary educational stages without disruptions.
She mentioned the issue of some students taking NECO and WASSCE exams as early as age 14 or 15, which also needs to be addressed.
Overall, while the new policy aims to ensure students are better prepared for the challenges of higher education, it also highlights the need for a balanced approach to educational maturity and readiness