The recent decision by the Federal Government to set a minimum age of 18 for candidates taking the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) is expected to remain in place, according to the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education.
Recall Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman has barred students under the age of 18 from enrolling in higher education institutions in the country.
The minister announced this on 18 July 2024 at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting in Abuja.
He also noted that the policy was established before the implementation of the 6-3-3-4 education system and has roots in the Universal Basic Education Act.
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However, the decision has sparked debate among parents and education stakeholders, with some expressing concerns about its potential impact on students who are already progressing in their secondary education.
Amidst back and forth, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Mark Useni during an interview with Punch correspondence urged the Ministry of Education to develop a framework for a smooth transition to the new policy and ensure that students who are currently in the senior classes of secondary schools are not left stranded.
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.
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“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.”
Useni, a member of the All Progressives Congress representing Takum/Donga/Ussa Federal Constituency, Taraba State, frowned on the situation where children not older than 12 “are being made to seek admission into universities.”
“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 jeopardise public interest,” he added.
