The National Assembly has recently engaged in the debate surrounding the Federal Government’s proposal to set the age limit for students taking the West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate (WASSCE) examination at 18 years. This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, who revealed the plan on Sunday.
The proposed age limit has faced significant backlash. Critics, including former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and several civil society organizations (CSOs), have labeled the decision as outdated and severe. They have called for the government to pause this proposal and organize a meeting with education stakeholders to discuss the implications and gather input.
In response, the Senate has indicated that it will review the proposal through public hearings once it is formally presented. Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated that the Senate will consider public opinions on any policy brought before it. He emphasized that any proposal requiring constitutional or statutory approval would undergo thorough legislative scrutiny, including public hearings.
On the other hand, the House of Representatives has not yet taken a position on the matter. Spokesman Akin Rotimi stated that the House has not been briefed on the issue and will review it once the House reconvenes and the proposal is presented.
In addition to Atiku, several other individuals and organizations have voiced their concerns. These include Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, founder of the Concerned Parents and Educators Network (CPE), Hassan Soweto, National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), and Global Rights Nigeria.
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