…as netizens discuss pros, cons of policy
…ASUU, NUT differ
Nigerians have been venting their feelings on social media and elsewhere following the recent decision by the Federal Government to strictly enforce the rule restricting pupils below 18 years old from gaining admission into tertiary institutions in the country.
The preponderance of public opinion tends somewhat against government’s position and towards a belief that the decision on age of entry into tertiary institutions could be better determined by the aptitude and pace of pupils through primary and secondary education, as well as on the discretion of their parents and guardians.
Opinions expressed also include that the dynamics of Nigerian society have changed such that many families now have both parents working and then put their children in crèches quite early, where learning starts, leading to early conclusion of primary and secondary school education. This, in turn, leads to readiness for tertiary education before government’s stipulated age of 18 years.
The government’s age policy for tertiary education, some said, does not take cognisance of exceptionally gifted students, who may be younger but progress swiftly and have the aptitude to cope with the curriculum of higher education and excel. Others said the policy was not well thought out and could lead opponents to challenge it in courts of law.
However, some Nigerians welcomed the idea as the right way to go, especially in the face of high level of unemployment in the country.
This is coming on the heels of the announcement by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, that the Federal Government had instituted a new age policy for secondary school leaving examinations, setting the minimum age at 18.
Mamman, speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme, said underage candidates will no longer be allowed to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination administered by the West African Examinations Council and the Senior School Certificate Examination administered by the National Examinations Council. Both examinations lead to advancement into tertiary education.
Mamman also confirmed that the minimum age to undertake the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination overseen by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will also be 18.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a new policy; this is a policy that has been there for a long time,” Mamman said.
“Even basically, if you compute the number of years pupils and learners are supposed to be in school, the number you will end up with is 17 and a half – from early child care to primary school to junior secondary school and then senior secondary school. You will end up with 17 and a half by the time they are ready for admission,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have taken differing positions on the matter. While NUT condemned the Federal Government’s decision to ban under-18 candidates from sitting for the WASSCE and NECO exams, ASUU backed the policy, Punch reports.
Reacting on the issue on X, @phabode tweeted, “What is their rationale? As an educator, I see no rhyme or reason for this; maybe it is this administration’s way of compressing intellect. It will definitely set back STEM growth in Nigeria. This nonsensical policy must be challenged in court!”
“Your assertion regarding the age restrictions on educational advancement, specifically requiring individuals to be 18 or older to take JAMB, WAEC, or NECO, seems fundamentally flawed and questionable. It appears that this policy not only undermines the intellectual capacities of young prodigies but also forcibly delays their academic and professional growth,” said @RealUcheOkoro.
On Facebook, Abdulkarim Abdullahi Sarki said, “The policy lacks consideration for individual student readiness and diverse educational paths, potentially stifling the intellectual growth of capable younger students who are prepared to advance their education.”
Some, however, said it was a welcome policy, suggesting that pupils who finish secondary school early should first learn some tech or other skills before proceeding to tertiary institutions.
“This is perfect. All these underage boys and girls should stay at home and learn some basic life skills before uni. Some join cult and prostitution even before they clock 18,” @_Tri_stan said on X.
@airyeaz said it’s a good initiative for parents and the child who can make good use of it, adding, “The child who finished secondary school should utilise the time in learning a skill. By the time he gets admission to the university, he already has a skill that will be fetching money.”
@Majordavid_9 said, “I subscribe to this. Any child that leaves secondary school should first go and learn hand skills and see how her future will be shaped well.”
On Instagram, @officialchekitaut said, “Our system is 6-3-3-4, a child is expected to start primary school at 6years old, the FG is in right.”
Following are some comments garnered from social media platforms:
*They banned under 18 students from writing UTME, People kept quiet, no outrage. They took your quietness for consent and went further to ban under 18 students from writing WASCE/NECO. When we talk of speaking out to power you laugh at us. Dey play. – @Sherusky, X handle
*What people do not understand is that education has been taken backwards. The expected time of graduation is now taken to 24 years if there is no strike action, which I doubt. ~ @malcolmSomto, X handle
*What is their rationale? As an educator, I see no rhyme or reason for this; maybe it is this administration’s way of compressing intellect. It will definitely set back STEM growth in Nigeria. This nonsensical policy must be challenged in court! @phabode, X handle
*Isn’t this just a deliberate attempt to slow down the growth of people? So even if the child is ready for university, he or she must wait until they are up to 18yrs old. ~ @sales_unwana, X handle
*Your assertion regarding the age restrictions on educational advancement, specifically requiring individuals to be 18 or older to take JAMB, WAEC, or NECO, seems fundamentally flawed and questionable. It appears that this policy not only undermines the intellectual capacities of young prodigies but also forcibly delays their academic and professional growth. ~ @RealUcheOkoro, X handle
*This is an unintelligent decision. Students leave secondary school around the age of 16. Why deny them the right to advance their lives for additional 2 years? ~ @bobekatt, X handle
*It’s retrogressive at best and skewed against gifted children . ~ @yinkakintunde, X handle
*Well I won’t see this as a problem in the context of today’s world. Under-18s who are not eligible to take those exams should go and enroll for a tech course. Lo ba tan!. @ayanfegem, X handle
*This is perfect. All these underage boys and girls should stay at home and learn some basic life skills before uni. Some join cult and prostitution even before they clock 18. @_Tri_stan, X handle
*Good idea I’m tired of seeing kids of 14yrs old who don’t know right or wrong on the campus, some are even studying medicine after jumping 4 classes . ~ @Homiebishop, X handle
*I subscribe to this. Any child that leaves secondary school should first go and learn hand skills and see how her future will be shaped well. @Majordavid_9, X handle
*If you ask me, it’s a good initiative for parents and the child who can make good use of it, the child who finished secondary school should utilise the time in learning a skill. By the time he gets admission to the university, he already has a skill that will be fetching money. ~@airyeaz, X handle
*Hence, we have so many graduates who can’t spell. This is normal standard, before your child gets to Grade1 he/she has to be 6yr old. This is what they did back then. OBJ changed everything. @TundeJamiu5, X handle
*Let them acquire skills for two years! So that we reduce unemployment in future and dependant ratio! @reiscleaners, X handle
*This is not outrightly right. But this will make Nigerian parents know that life is not only about education, because an average graduate out there has nothing to offer than his/her certificate. They graduate and ho back to be staying with their parents. ~@SEGUNP21, X handle
*Our system is 6-3-3-4, a child is expected to start primary school at 6years old, the FG is in right. ~ officialchekitaut@ IG
*This is not right, there is need for transition period for 7years to enable secondary and primary school to adjust their entry age. idowuomodara@IG
*I think children under 18 years should be allowed to sit for these exams but shouldn’t be admitted to any higher institution until they are 18 years. olanrewaju_ogidan @IG
*They just want to destroy the future of a Nigerian child just the way they did of their parents. kayode.adeniji@ IG
*The policy lacks consideration for individual student readiness and diverse educational paths, potentially stifling the intellectual growth of capable younger students who are prepared to advance their education. ~ Abdulkarim Abdullahi Sarki@ Facebook
*This policy is unfair. Truth be told. ~Ponmak Julven Wuyep @ Facebook
* it won’t limit anything… let them use that window period to learn good skills or something close to the disciplines they intend going into …. ~Zerubbabel Dmindthatbits@Facebook
* This is unfair. ~ Nanhap Shedul @faceboook
*To make this fair, it should start from primary school. So, the adjustment can match appropriately. And again, they should adjust age for NYSC to 40 years and they should remove age limit when it comes to job applications, as long as you look physically capable it should be accepted. ~ Felkuka Factors Gowon @Facebook.
