Parents, students seek review of 18-year benchmark for WAEC, NECO

Opposition to the Federal Government’s proposal of 18-year benchmark for students to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) mounted, yesterday, as parents and students urged the government to have a rethink.

Recall that the Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had declared that effective from 2025, students below 18 years will not be allowed to sit for WASSCE.
This policy followed a similar trend by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which had earlier pegged the age of prospective students into the nation’s tertiary institutions at 18.

Some parents, who spoke with The Guardian on the matter rejected the proposal, describing it as backward and called for a reversal. One of the parents identified as Hannah Ibikunle, insisted that the 16-year old policy should be retained.

Ibikunle, a civil servant, said the 18-year minimum benchmark would take the country backwards because admission into tertiary institutions is not automatic.
She appealed to the Federal Government to have a rethink on the matter, saying the decision would not only delay the candidates from accessing school on time, but also impact negatively on brilliant students.

On her part, Ayanleke Nafisat, who is also a parent, observed that repeating classes for students who are struggling academically is already a setback for them, adding that it would be a traumatic process for the students if they are to wait for an extra year because of the age barrier.

Equally, a teacher, Bisi Olatunde, said to successfully effect the policy, it must begin from the primary school, ensuring that students are registered from age 12 for the common entrance examination.

A student at Ibadan Grammar School, Olagoke Esther, noted that underaged students are susceptible to vices, saying the policy would further drive them towards indulging in crimes.

She said: “I’ve worked hard and studied like everyone else, the policy is ignoring the effort of students like me who are ready to take on challenges, regardless of our age.”

A Senior Secondary School student at Community Senior High school, Alapere, Ketu, Olawuyi Elizabeth, also expressed concerns over the policy, describing it as a setback for learners.

She said: “I know the Federal Government is considering the fact that some students are not prepared emotionally for higher institutions, it would be fair if these polices are implemented from primary education level, where six years is set as criteria for entering primary one.”