National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, Hassan Soweto, has sharply criticised the Ministry of Education’s new age limits for the WASSCE and NECO examinations, describing them as “unnecessary controversy” and calling for a review summit.
Soweto said this while speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday about the new policy by the Ministry of Education.
He argued that the new policy, which restricts 18-year-olds from taking these exams, is an ill-considered move. He stated, “The minister of education is trying to force us into a needless controversy. I gained admission into Obafemi Awolowo University at the age of 16 and I am here today.”
He emphasised that early admission does not necessarily lead to negative outcomes, noting the diverse experiences of students.
According to Soweto, the new policy is an attempt to mask deeper issues within the education sector. “The major problem that we have now that the minister is trying to hide is that less than 20% of those who applied to university this year are going to get admitted. Perhaps this is an attempt to weed out some people,” he said.
He also pointed out that the role of private education in distorting the education system, particularly through practices like double and triple promotions, needs to be addressed.
Soweto contends that enforcing this rule without addressing underlying issues will unfairly penalise many deserving students. He noted, “We have to insist that this policy must be suspended first and then a stakeholders meeting should be held to discuss the metrics.” He advocated for a summit to discuss how to protect students and update the national education policy to reflect current realities.
Further speaking, he argued that simply importing policies from abroad without considering the unique challenges within the Nigerian educational system is misguided.
“Age is not maturity. The problem is that there is so much wrong with our educational sector so you cannot just lift some of these ideas from abroad and want to apply it,” Soweto said.
He also pointed out that systemic issues, such as frequent strikes and delayed graduations, underscore the need for a more nuanced approach to education reform that addresses the root problems rather than imposing age restrictions.
In addition to these concerns, Soweto highlighted broader systemic issues such as funding, infrastructure, and ongoing strikes. “What about funding of education, what about teachers, infrastructure, ASUU is already talking about going on strike at the end of next month?” he questioned.
Professor Gabriel Egbe, Provost at the College of Postgraduate Studies, Veritas University, echoed similar sentiments, focusing on fundamental issues in the education system. “The issue bothering education in Nigeria is not about age. There are complex issues playing the educational system that we should be addressing, for example, the curriculum,” he remarked.
Egbe suggested that rather than focusing on age limits, there should be a reengineering of the education system and proposed foundational programmes for students who may not yet be mature enough for university studies.
Both Soweto and Egbe agree that the current focus on age limits distracts from the need for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s education sector.
NANCY MBAMALU
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