Stakeholders call for dialogue on controversial age policy

A non-governmental organisation, Concerned Parents and Educators (CPE), has called for consultations with relevant stakeholders and open dialogue on the formulation and implementation of education policies.

They made the appeal at a webinar themed: ‘Above/below 18: The pros and cons of the new directive by the Minister on the education landscape, where they emphasised the urgent need to reassess age restrictions for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), cautioning the Federal Government on the potential long-term impacts on youths and society.

The Chief Executive Officer of Edumark Consult and CPE Coordinator, Mrs Yinka Ogunde, expressed concerns over a recent directive from the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman banning under 18 students from taking WASSCE.

She criticised the directive for being hastily implemented, pointing out that significant educational decisions should involve thorough planning and consultation with all stakeholders.

Ogunde noted that such directive by the minister and major decisions that will affect the lives of people, especially their education, should not be taken overnight.

“There has to be a period of planning and government should involve educators before voicing out such a policy. You don’t toy with education or play politics with people’s lives,” Ogunde stated.

Executive Director of Ladela Schools, Mrs Angela Ajala, lamented the lack of coordination between the government and the private sector, emphasising the need for clear operational guidelines and communication regarding the new policy.

President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Helen Essien, lamented the country’s struggles with policy implementation and the tendency to replicate foreign systems without proper adaptation.

She warned that such policies could lead to increased numbers of out-of-school children, and called for regulatory bodies to perform their duties effectively.

She said: “Nigeria seems to copy what happens in other climes without doing it well, such policy will further lead to more out-of-school children. The regulatory body should do its work,” she stated.

An educator and social advocate, Dr Bukola Dosumu, urged educators to reconsider their roles and contributions to the country’s development, questioning whether current practices in schools are fostering positive growth.

Chief Executive Officer, Achievers Motivational Centre, Johnson Abbaly, expressed concern over the lack of data to address underlying problems, and the potential negative effects of the policy, such as increased internet fraud and mass failure.

On his part, educationist, Brian Ebbi, criticised the policy’s implementation, saying it leaves parents uncertain about how to manage their children’s time during the interim.