₦airaland Forum

The recent proposal by the federal government to disqualify students under the age of 18 from writing the West Africa School Certificate Examination (WASCE) is not only counterproductive but also unjust. This policy, which ostensibly aims to ensure that students are mature enough to handle the demands of the examination, ignores the diverse realities of our nation and the importance of educational equity. It is crucial to examine the implications of this policy and understand why it should be reconsidered.
Education is the foundation of a nation's development, and any policy that restricts access to education is a step backward. Students currently in Senior Secondary Schools have already demonstrated their academic capabilities and readiness for the WASCE. By the time they reach Senior Secondary School, they have undergone years of structured education, preparing them for this crucial examination. To suddenly bar them from taking the exam based on age alone is unfair and disregards the efforts these students have put into their studies.
One of the most glaring issues with this policy is the assumption that age is the sole determinant of maturity. Maturity is a multifaceted attribute that encompasses emotional, intellectual, and social aspects, none of which are strictly tied to chronological age. Many students under 18 are more than capable of handling the pressures and responsibilities associated with the WASCE. In contrast, some students over 18 may not possess the same level of readiness. The decision to sit for such an important examination should be based on a student's academic preparedness and personal circumstances, not an arbitrary age limit.
In certain parts of the country, cultural practices dictate that girls as young as thirteen are given in marriage, and society accepts this as a norm. It is ironic, therefore, that a sixteen-year-old student, who is fully engaged in their academic pursuits and preparing for their future, is suddenly deemed too immature to sit for an examination that could shape their entire life. This policy fails to take into account the varying cultural contexts within Nigeria and the different expectations placed on young people across the country. It also overlooks the fact that education, rather than marriage at a young age, is the key to empowering these students and enabling them to make informed life choices.
Excluding students under 18 from writing the WASCE could have far-reaching consequences. It may lead to increased dropout rates, as students who are forced to wait longer to take their exams may lose motivation or face financial and social pressures that make continuing their education difficult. Furthermore, delaying their entry into higher education or the workforce could have economic repercussions for both the students and the country as a whole.
Instead of implementing a blanket age restriction, the government should focus on creating a more inclusive policy that considers individual student readiness. This could include providing additional support and resources for students who may need extra preparation, regardless of their age. It is also essential to engage with educators, parents, and students to understand the diverse needs and challenges faced by different regions and communities within Nigeria.
In conclusion, the federal government's proposed policy to make students under 18 ineligible for the WASCE is a misguided attempt to standardize maturity and readiness. It disregards the cultural, social, and educational realities of our nation and places an unnecessary barrier in the path of young Nigerians who are eager to pursue their education and contribute to the country's future. It is imperative that this policy be reconsidered in favor of one that truly supports and nurtures the potential of all students, regardless of their age.


Alex Akinyemi writes from Lagos

Don't waste your time, these current crops of rulers are daft and have no idea what they are doing

APC always with retrogressive policies.. PMB then wanted to bring back grazing route... after him Baba emilokan brought back colonial written national anthem....now our education is the next... instead of finding solutions to ASU strikes ,equip our universities to be fabricating machines and equipments using the best mind and catching them young, they are trying to people graduate at 35 to 40 years under ASU strikes

If he says they are too young. The Minister himself is too old to be in that office. He should be retired and resting at 70 years and leave the young brilliant children to thrive. The approved age of Secondary School is 10 years. So a child going on 16 years has followed the Ministry's directive. How can the Minister now think he can act like a dictator in a democracy? What measures has he put in place to ensure the policy is effective? Is he changing it to 6-3-5-8? How is he also following the 6-3-3-4 policy when Millions of students will be left hanging. They will finish with their Curriculum and not be tested immediately afterwards. He is not fit to be a Minister. A Minister Of Education that appears to be against Education. I think old age is affecting his mental health. He should take a bow. At 70 years old he should be retired. His chronological age is affecting his reasoning.

Nbote:
Don't waste your time, these current crops of rulers are daft and have no idea what they are doing

They may be daft but we are not. Our children's future is important to us. Some will write the Examinations pass and still not gain admission because of lack of connections. So what is he talking about?

Digmygold:
If he says they are too young. The Minister himself is too old to be in that office. He should be retired and resting at 70 years and leave the young brilliant children to thrive. The approved age of Secondary School is 10 years. So a child going on 16 years has followed the Ministry's directive. How can the Minister now think he can act like a dictator in a democracy? What measures has he put in place to ensure the policy is effective? Is he changing it to 6-3-5-8? How is he also following the 6-3-3-4 policy when Millions of students will be left hanging. They will finish with their Curriculum and not be tested immediately afterwards. He is not fit to be a Minister. A Minister Of Education that appears to be against Education. I think old age is affecting his mental health. He should take a bow. At 70 years old he should be retired. His chronological age is affecting his reasoning.

The government is only implementing what the law says.

It is the implementation of the 6 - 3 - 3 - 4 system.
Age matters

samomoli:
APC always with retrogressive policies.. PMB then wanted to bring back grazing route... after him Baba emilokan brought back colonial written national anthem....now our education is the next... instead of finding solutions to ASU strikes ,equip our universities to be fabricating machines and equipments using the best mind and catching them young, they are trying to people graduate at 35 to 40 years under ASU strikes

They want to increase the unemployment rate.

mhmsadyq:
The government is only implementing what the law says.

It is the implementation of the 6 - 3 - 3 - 4 system.
Age matters

What law? Can you quote where you got the Law from? If CHRONOLOGICAL age matters then the 70 year old Minister should be retired and home sleeping.. Age does not connote maturity. The same Ministry sets 10 years as minimum entry age for Secondary Schools. So they can't blame anyone but themselves.

mhmsadyq:
The government is only implementing what the law says.

It is the implementation of the 6 - 3 - 3 - 4 system.
Age matters

You are so bitter that you had to go off sleep and write a dumb epistle to end up making zero sense. If your children are not affected and you are this desperately.evil, then May God punish you perpetually.

U