The Federal Government of NIgeria says contrary to public perception, it is yet to effect its new education policy which seeks to restrict years of students writing senior school certificate examinations as well as entry into universities.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, told reporters in Abuja that contrary to speculations in some quarters, the government never stopped students who are not up to 18 years old from writing the examinations.
While fielding questions from reporters at an event to mark the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD) on Friday, Dr. Sununu insisted that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman’s statement on the issue was misunderstood.
Recall that the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, on August 25th, disclosed that the Federal Government has instructed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), and the National Examinations Council (NECO), not to allow underage children to write their examinations.
However, Sununu clarified that what the Minister said was different from what the public understood.
According to him, the Minister was speaking on the minimum entry age into tertiary institutions, which must be 18 years as provided for in the 6:3:3:4 system of education which Nigeria practices.
While bemoaning the rate of underage university admissions in the country, Dr Sununu expressed disappointment with the public misunderstanding of Prof. Tahir’s statement, adding that the new policy is also a work in progress.
He said:”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.
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