Tinubu Administration: WAEC Age Limit Is A Longstanding Policy, Not A New Move

Tinubu Administration: WAEC Age Limit Is A Longstanding Policy, Not A New Move....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has defended the government’s decision to prevent students under 18 years old from taking the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Speaking at an Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Mamman stated that this restriction aligns with the country’s laws and educational policies…..CONTINUE READING 

He emphasized that the policy is not new; rather, the administration of President Bola Tinubu is simply enforcing existing regulations. Starting in 2025, candidates below the age of 18 will be barred from sitting for the SSCE, a move Mamman believes will ultimately benefit Nigerian students.

Mamman criticized parents for rushing their children through their education. He highlighted that laws like the Universal Basic Education Act and the Minimum Standards Policy Act, established in 1993, set specific age limits for different educational stages: six years for primary school, three years for junior secondary, and three years for senior secondary. According to him, children should begin school at six, but many parents enroll them as early as four, leading to premature graduation.

“With the new curriculum we have introduced, it is crucial for students to follow the prescribed age limits,” he said. The Minister stressed that the laws in question are not new nor were they created by the current administration; they have been in place since 1993.

The Tinubu administration is merely implementing these policies to ensure that students receive quality education and acquire essential skills. “These policies are long-standing, and we are committed to ensuring students remain in school, learn, and develop skills that will prepare them for productive futures, whether they pursue higher education or enter the workforce,” Mamman concluded.