Amidst controversy generated by the announcement by the Minister of Education mandating that only students that have attained 18-years can sit for the West Africa Senior School Certificate and the National Examination Council examinations, the Parents Teachers’ Association has thrown its weight behind the Federal Government.
The association stated that it is in support of the Federal Government’s decision to ban under-18 candidates from sitting for the two intermediate examinations in the country.
Recall that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had announced on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ programme that the Federal Government had instituted a new age policy for secondary school leaving examinations, setting the minimum age at 18.
By the pronouncement, candidates below 18-years will no longer be allowed to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the Senior School Certificate Examination.
Expressing their support for the policy, National President, PTA, said the association was in full support of the Federal Government.
He said, “I expressed my support for the education policy. The Minister is not introducing a new policy; it has always been part of the education system. When students sit for WASSCE or NECO at 18 years old, they have reached an age of maturity. Such exams are not for immature students or under 18. You shouldn’t expect underage students in universities or sitting WASSCE and NECO. That’s the standard we followed; even my children did not enter university before turning 18.
“If they are old enough, they will be fully prepared and mature enough to face the challenges that come with attending a higher institution. This is the correct approach; students should take their exams at 18.”
Speaking in support of the policy, the CEO, Flourishgate Consult, Dideolu Adekogbe, said the enforcement of the policy was long overdue. She insisted that the policy should be implemented with appropriate consequences.
“If the National Policy on Education (NPE) is the guiding document for our nation’s education plan, then it should be followed to the letter. Unless we decided to review it. As long as it remains unchanged, it must be fully implemented.
“I have no issue with a review, but in everything we do, we must consider the children who are most affected. If countries like Finland, Canada, and others are succeeding with their education systems, why can’t we, as a nation, get ours right? The core issue we face is that our education system is unsteady. If we choose to get it right now, we can finally move forward,” she said.
Also speaking in support of the policy, the Head of School, Juniper Hill School, Surulere, Lagos, Ajibike Bakare, said there was the need to strengthen the policy. She pointed out the importance of balancing cognitive development with emotional maturity.
Bakare, therefore, criticized the rush to push children into school early.
She, therefore, called for enforcement of the policy to ensure children completed the necessary stages of education without disruptions from strikes.
Bakare, however, added that vocational training centres be established for those under 18. This will enable them to acquire valuable skills during the interim period before university.
She said, “There’s also this rush to push children into primary school at age four and a half. This is because they seem academically advanced. The focus is often on cognitive abilities, neglecting the affective and psychomotor development. Academic prowess alone is not enough; emotional maturity is crucial as well.”
“I believe the honourable Minister and those who reviewed this policy might be considering the rise in vices at universities. And they must have attributed it to immaturity. However, it’s not always about age. Sometimes it reflects societal issues or the environment from which these children come. It’s unfair to assume that underperformance is solely due to being under 18.”
“On the other hand, enforcement should ensure that children complete Primary Six before progressing to secondary school. This also depends on secondary schools. As some children are taking NECO and WASSCE exams as early as age 14 or 15. This is a separate issue that needs to be addressed with secondary schools,” Bakare added.
source: PUNCH
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
