The Federal Government’s decision to set 18 years as the minimum age for candidates sitting for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) may remain, according to the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education.
This decision, announced by the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, in July, will take effect in 2025. Candidates below 18 years will no longer be allowed to sit for the SSSCE, a prerequisite for university admission.
The announcement, however, sparked debates among parents and education stakeholders across the country.
The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, had in July stated that with effect from 2025, any candidate below the age of 18 will not be allowed to sit the SSSCE and without which such students cannot secure admission to higher institutions of learning.
The announcement has generated heated debate among parents and education stakeholders.
In an exclusive interview on Thursday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education, Mark Useni, explained why the government may not reverse the decision.
He revealed that the House of Representatives leadership had facilitated a meeting between the Committee on Basic Education, examination boards, and the Minister of Education.
During the meeting, Prof Mamman emphasized that the age policy aligns with global practices, adding that similar age limits exist for military and paramilitary institutions.
He also highlighted that the policy is based on the Universal Basic Education Act.
Useni expressed concerns about children as young as 12 seeking admission into universities.
He noted that the policy aims to ensure students’ cognitive and physical development matches their educational progression.
However, he called on the Ministry of Education to establish a framework for a smooth transition into full implementation of the policy.
The committee also urged the ministry to prevent students already in senior secondary classes from being negatively impacted by the new policy.
