THE Federal Government recently came up with a policy that set 18 years as the age limit for candidates suitable for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASCCE) as from next year. BUNMI ISHOLA spoke with parents, educators, school proprietors and other stakeholders on their views.
Batife Pere, Educationist
I think the 18 years age limit as the minimum age for writing WAEC is retrogressive. If students clock 18 before sitting for WAEC or NECO, it means many will not gain admission until ages 20/21. This is a waste of productive years. In many parts of the world, 18 is the year of gaining admission into the university. Exams like WAEC should best be written by ages 16 and 17. There is a massive advantage in giving our children an early start in life.
Anozie Tina, An Educator
The 18 years age limit is going to be a big setback for teenagers especially the present SSS3 students that will be waiting for two years before writing WAEC. What exactly will be expected of them during this period of wait? If this should be implemented, it should be from foundation class just like its being done in the Western world. There should be a specific age for starting kindergarten. They will by so doing attain WAEC age implemented by the government at the appropriate time.
Oluwakemi Yunus, Teacher and School Owner
It’s a double-edged sword. Education has moved forward with technology. Limiting students will not be of any help to the nation. I will advise the ministry of education to bring the age for SSCE to 16 and insist the age to write JAMB to remain 18.
Oluwabunmi Akinfenwa, Graphic artist and trader
It is an okay development. It bothers me how parents skip their kids through school unnecessarily hurrying through life. I would have preferred 17 though. We need to raise the quality of education from teacher-training curriculum to everything else.
Eniola Akogun, An Entreprenur
It’s not a progressive decision and it will come back to haunt those who made this decision.
Daniel Ajayi, Pharmacist
As a parent, I support this move by the government. I feel many parents are rushing their children through school unnecessarily. This is creating problems for these children both physically and psychologically.
They should let them write WAEC at 16 but enforce age of admission to higher institution to be 18. Students can then go for their A- levels or learn skills before gaining admission into higher institution.
Mojirayo Ogundeji, a mum
18 years is not a nice development because some students may have to rewrite WAEC. What age will they now gain admission?
Emmanuel Usman, Businessman
We have moved from analogue age to digital. I will not support the Federal Government age limit because 16 to 19 years in the higher institution today are full of intelligence as they learn faster as expected.
Empress Hidiat Omolabake, Agripreneur
There’s no guarantee that any student will pass WAEC examinations at first sitting. Some students excel immediately while others may need additional years to retake some subjects. It’s a setback.
Obasa Abayomi, Clergyman
It’s a nice development in my opinion because all those underaged children on campuses? Their comportment is an eyesore!
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