FG Makes U-turn: Under-18 Students Can Write WAEC, NECO Exams

The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked claims that students under 18 years old are prohibited from sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.

Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, made this clarification on Friday in Abuja during a media briefing held in commemoration of the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD).

“Nobody has said that children cannot sit for WAEC, NECO, or any other examinations unless they are 18. This is a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of our statements,” Sununu explained.

He expressed disappointment over the public’s misinterpretation of a previous statement by the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, regarding the appropriate entry age for tertiary institutions, which aligns with the 6:3:3:4 education system.

Sununu added, “It was shocking to hear that some universities in Nigeria admitted students as young as 10, 11, or 12 years old. This is unacceptable. While there may be rare cases of exceptionally talented students, these are the exception, not the rule. The ministry is developing guidelines to identify such talents to ensure fairness without closing opportunities for deserving students.”

This clarification follows earlier comments made by Minister Mamman in August during a Channels TV interview, where he announced that students who had not met the required number of years in a particular level of study would no longer be permitted to sit for WAEC or NECO exams.

On International Literacy Day, Sununu also spoke about the critical role literacy plays in fostering mutual understanding, peace, and socio-economic development. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to addressing literacy challenges through the “Education for Renewed Hope” roadmap (2024-2027).

He emphasized the importance of youth and adult literacy, highlighting the need to use mother tongues as a medium of instruction. Sununu further stressed the necessity for well-trained educators to teach in local languages and the development of follow-up learning materials in these languages.

UNESCO’s country representative, Diallo Abdourahamane, echoed Sununu’s sentiments, stating that literacy is a fundamental human right crucial for creating a just, peaceful, and sustainable society.

The International Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8, focuses on raising awareness about the importance of literacy. The theme for 2024 is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”

(NAN)