The Federal Ministry of Education has addressed recent misconceptions regarding age restrictions for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, clarified the situation on Friday, September 6, in Abuja during an event marking the 2024 International Literacy Day.
Dr. Sununu responded to public confusion surrounding remarks made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, which were interpreted as imposing age restrictions on students taking national examinations. Sununu stressed that no official policy prohibits students under the age of 18 from participating in these exams. The confusion stemmed from discussions about the 18-year entry age for tertiary institutions, a standard from the 6:3:3:4 educational system.
“We are not barring under-18 students from writing WAEC, NECO, or any other examination,” Sununu stated. He expressed disappointment at the misinterpretation of the minister’s comments, noting that the discussion was about age requirements for university entry rather than for secondary school exams.
Sununu acknowledged that there are exceptional students with advanced intellectual capabilities who may be younger than the typical age range. However, he emphasized the need for guidelines to manage such cases and ensure a standard approach to identifying and accommodating talented children without excluding others.
In celebration of International Literacy Day, Sununu highlighted the importance of literacy in promoting mutual understanding, peace, and socio-economic development. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling literacy challenges through the Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024-2027), emphasizing youth and adult literacy and the use of learners’ mother tongues in education.
Prof. Simon Akpama, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education, supported the integration of multilingual education into literacy programs, stressing its role in fostering peace and cultural respect.
UNESCO’s Country Representative, Mr. Diallo Abdourahamane, reiterated that literacy is a fundamental human right essential for creating a just, peaceful, and sustainable society.
The theme for this year’s International Literacy Day is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” underscoring the significance of multilingual education in global literacy efforts.
