The Federal Ministry of Education has provided clarification stating that it has not prohibited students under the age of 18 from taking the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, addressed the public in Abuja on Friday during the 2024 International Literacy Day event, emphasizing that Education Minister Tahir Mamman's previous statement regarding the Federal Government's directive pertained specifically to the minimum entry age of 18 into tertiary institutions, in line with the 6-3-3-4 system of education.
Dr. Sununu expressed concern over the misinterpretation of the Education Minister's statement, highlighting the need for a guideline to identify exceptionally talented children while maintaining that the ministry does not intend to deny children the opportunity to sit for examinations.
He emphasized the importance of establishing age-related regulations within the education system and addressing exceptional cases where children may exhibit advanced intellectual abilities.
This clarification aims to dispel any misconceptions and reaffirm the Ministry's commitment to fair and inclusive educational policies.