There are indications that Federal Government may rescind its decision on age restriction for West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASCE) and Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
  
The decision followed widespread outrage that trailed an announcement by the government to bar students below 18 years old from writing the examinations. 
   
The government announced, yesterday, that exceptionally intelligent students below the age of 18 might be allowed to take WASSCE and SSCE. 
  
Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, hinted at the possibility of the exemption during a tour of the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State, also known as National School for the Gifted. He visited with the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu. 
  
The minister, who was asked if the 18 years age limit would apply to a school raising very intelligent students, replied: “It may not and we are going to develop criteria to guide what we will call gifted children.”
  
Last week, the Federal Government officially barred individuals under the age of 18 from taking WASSCE and SSCE. 
  
While appearing on a television programme, Mamman explained that the government had instructed WAEC, which conducts WASSCE, and NECO, which oversees SSCE, to enforce the 18-year age requirement for examination. 
  
He emphasised that the directive was not a new policy but a reaffirmation of existing regulations.
  
However, prominent Nigerians, including the Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Afe Babalola, SAN, faulted the decision. 
  
The elder statesman and renowned legal practitioner wondered why the education of a child, who had passed all pre-qualification requirements for admission into tertiary institutions, should be truncated on the altar of age. 
  
“This should not be so because age is not maturity”, he said.