WASSCE: ASUU and NUT Disagree on the FG’s Ban of Candidates Under 18.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed strong disapproval of the Federal Government’s recent decision to prohibit candidates under the age of 18 from taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams. This policy has received support from the Academic Staff Union of Universities, highlighting a divide in opinions regarding educational regulations in the country.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced this new age policy during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program. He clarified that the minimum age requirement for secondary school leaving examinations has now been set at 18 years. As a result, candidates who are underage will no longer be permitted to sit for these critical examinations, which are essential for progression to tertiary education.
This directive also extends to the West African Examinations Council, the body responsible for administering the WASSCE, as well as the National Examinations Council, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Furthermore, Mamman confirmed that the age limit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, will also be established at 18 years.
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Mamman emphasized that this policy is not a recent development. He stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time.” His comments aimed to clarify any misconceptions about the nature of the policy and its implications for students.
He elaborated that if one calculates the total number of years students are expected to spend in school—from early childhood education through primary and junior secondary school to senior secondary school—the average age of readiness for admission would be approximately 17 and a half years. This calculation supports the rationale behind the 18-year age requirement.
The Minister’s remarks suggest that the government is not introducing a novel policy but rather reinforcing existing guidelines regarding age eligibility for examinations. He argued that this reminder is necessary to ensure clarity and compliance within the educational system.
Mamman further stated, “In any case, NECO and WAEC, henceforth, will not be allowing underage children to write their examinations.” This assertion indicates a firm stance by the government to enforce the new age restrictions strictly.
The decision has sparked discussions among educators, parents, and students, with varying opinions on its potential impact. Critics argue that the ban may hinder the educational aspirations of younger, capable students who are ready to take these examinations.
Supporters of the policy, on the other hand, believe it will help maintain academic standards and ensure that students are adequately prepared for the challenges of higher education. They argue that allowing younger students to take these exams may lead to a mismatch in readiness and performance.
As the implementation of this policy unfolds, its effects on the educational landscape in Nigeria will become clearer, prompting further dialogue among stakeholders about the best approaches to education and examination readiness.
“Allowing children under 18 to write SSCE is not the best approach and creates problems for us. We’ve seen high failure rates in WAEC, and last year, all the top scorers were from Ghana. Despite 1.8 million Nigerian students registering, none of them achieved top scores. Parents are also contributing to the issue by pushing their children to graduate too quickly.”
