The recent move by the Federal Government to impose an age limit for candidates taking the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) appears likely to remain in place, according to the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education.
Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced in July that, starting in 2025, only candidates aged 18 and above would be eligible to sit for the SSSCE, which is essential for admission into higher education institutions.
The policy has stirred significant debate among parents and education stakeholders. On September 5, the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education, Mark Useni, provided reasons why the government is unlikely to reverse this decision.
He said, “The Committees on Basic Education and Examination Boards took this matter to the leadership of the House of Representatives. The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, promptly appointed the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvere, to moderate a meeting between the two committees and the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman.
“The meeting was held on Wednesday, September 4, and the minister attended together with the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, as well as the heads of basic education examination bodies.
“The minister explained that the policy that relates to the 18 years age requirement for entry into the university is a policy that was developed before the adoption of the 6-3-3-4 system. He explained that the policy also has a root in the Universal Basic Education Act.
“Prof Tahir said the policy is not peculiar to Nigeria, while also making reference to military and paramilitary institutions which place the entry age at 18 years. He also said that the voting age in Nigeria is pegged at 18 years.”
Mark Useni, a member of the All Progressives Congress representing Takum/Donga/Ussa Federal Constituency in Taraba State, expressed his disapproval of the trend where children as young as 12 are being pushed to seek university admission.
“While the policy is meant to ensure that children pursue their education alongside their cognitive and physical development and maturity, the Ministry of Education should develop a framework for proper transition into a full policy implementation.
“The Ministry of Education must ensure that students who are already progressing in the senior classes in secondary schools are not left stranded after completion of that level of education.
“We mandated the minister and his team to work out ways of handling the policy based on data available to the ministry and ensure that the policy does not jeopardize public interest,” he added.
