National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Education stakeholders in Nigeria have expressed strong disapproval of the Federal Governent’s decision to establish 18 years as the minimum age for students to sit for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE). They argue that this policy could significantly hinder the growth and progress of the country’s education sector.
The experts stated that educational content and curricula are increasingly tailored for mature minds. They advocate for children to be allowed to develop at their own pace, with a solid foundation established at home before formal education begins, ideally around age five or older.
Historically, children in Nigeria spent their formative years under the close supervision of parents and the community, which better prepared them for the challenges of academic life.
In the past, students typically completed secondary education in their late teens or early twenties, with many attending additional classes to obtain “A” Level Certificates before gaining admission into universities.
However, the structure of education has evolved significantly over the years. The decline of the public education system, worsened by the neglect of teachers’ welfare and inadequate training programmes, has led to the proliferation of private schools.
These institutions, driven largely by profit, have made education accessible to very young children, many of whom start in daycare, crèche, and kindergarten before progressing to primary education. This shift has also resulted in very young teenagers registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
For many working parents, an early start to education is seen as convenient, as it allows them to balance their professional and family responsibilities. In addition, some parents prefer their children to complete their education early to avoid dealing with it in their later years.
Stakeholders argue that enforcing an age restriction that requires students who are mentally ready to delay taking their SSCE until they turn 18 is impractical and disruptive.
They believe that the policy is out of touch with the current realities of the Nigerian education system. The stakeholders urge the government to reconsider this decision to avoid derailing the progress that has been made in the sector.
