The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that students under the age of 18 are not being barred from taking key national exams, such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
This clarification was made by Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, during a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD). He addressed recent public misunderstandings regarding comments made by Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stating that the minister’s remarks had been misinterpreted.
Dr. Sununu emphasised that the Ministry had no intention of preventing younger students from sitting for WASSCE or NECO. He explained that the confusion arose from discussions around the recommended minimum age of 18 for entry into tertiary institutions, as practised under the 6-3-3-4 education system.
“The idea that students must be 18 before they can take WAEC or NECO exams is a complete misconception,” he said. “The Minister was addressing university admission age, not secondary school exams.”
He acknowledged that while there are rare cases of exceptionally gifted children, guidelines are being developed to ensure these children are identified without limiting other students’ educational opportunities.
During the ILD event, Dr. Sununu also stressed the importance of literacy in promoting peace, mutual understanding, and economic growth. He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling literacy challenges through its Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024-2027).
One key element of this strategy includes promoting literacy in both youth and adults, with a focus on teaching in learners’ mother tongues to enhance comprehension and foster social cohesion.
“We must prioritise a learner’s first language when teaching literacy, as this helps promote understanding and peace,” Dr. Sununu said. He also called for better teacher training and the development of reading materials in local languages.
Supporting this vision, Prof. Simon Akpama, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), highlighted the Commission’s focus on incorporating multilingual education into school programmes.
“Multilingual education is essential in today’s interconnected world. It helps foster cultural respect and promotes peace,” Prof. Akpama said.
UNESCO’s Country Representative, Diallo Abdourahamane, echoed these sentiments, stating that literacy is a basic human right and fundamental to building a just and sustainable society.
The theme of this year’s International Literacy Day, Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace, underlines the critical role of literacy in shaping a more inclusive and harmonious world.
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