The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has strongly criticized the federal government’s newly introduced age policy for secondary school leaving examinations.
Announced by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the policy sets the minimum age for writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) exams at 18 years.
Key Points of the Policy and NUT’s Response
New Age Policy: Students below the age of 18 will not be allowed to take the WASSCE and NECO exams.
NUT’s Criticism: The NUT argues that this policy is outdated and fails to account for economic realities that force parents to enroll their children in school at an early age. This early enrollment exposes children to early learning, which the NUT believes should not be hindered.
Implementation Challenges: Dr. Mike Ene, Secretary-General of the NUT, emphasized that the policy could only be effective if it starts at the primary school level. He suggested that the government should adapt to current practices where children are enrolled in crèches early due to economic pressures.
Concerns Raised by NUT
Early Enrolment: Ene pointed out that parents now enroll their children in crèches early, allowing both parents to work. This early education cannot be stopped as it is crucial for the child’s development.
Exceptional Students: The policy would also affect exceptional students who are often younger than their peers. Ene questioned the minister’s consideration for these students, suggesting that they would have to wait two more years, which could lead to legal challenges.
Policy Conception: The NUT described the policy as poorly conceived and urged the government to rethink it thoroughly.
The NUT’s stance highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to education policy, one that considers both the economic realities and the diverse needs of students in Nigeria.
