Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has proposed a new policy that would bar students under the age of 18 from taking the country’s key secondary school exit exams, the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The proposed policy would require students to follow a strict timeline – starting primary school at 6, spending 6 years in primary, 3 years in junior secondary, and 3 years in senior secondary, before finally being eligible to take the SSCE exams at age 18 and move on to university.
While the minister argues this will standardize the education system, the proposal has faced significant backlash from educators, parents, and education advocates across Nigeria.
Critics argue the age limit fails to account for students who naturally finish secondary school before turning 18. Forcing these students to wait an additional 1-2 years before sitting for the exams and applying to university could be hugely detrimental, potentially leading to increased rates of crime, drug abuse, and early marriage – especially for young women.
“This policy will only discourage university enrollment, when we should be doing everything to encourage more Nigerians to pursue higher education,” said education activist Zainab Muhammad. “It’s a poorly thought-out plan that fails to consider the real challenges facing Nigeria’s education system.”
Indeed, data shows Nigeria already struggles with high rates of out-of-school children, with one in five of the world’s out-of-school children residing in Nigeria. Experts warn this new age limit could exacerbate this crisis.
Furthermore, the policy does not address the myriad other issues plaguing Nigerian education – from outdated curricula to inadequate teacher training and infrastructure. Many feel the minister is focusing on the wrong problems.
“We have so many serious issues to tackle – from improving learning outcomes to keeping schools open amid constant strikes,” said teacher Fatima Bello. “An arbitrary age limit for exams is just a distraction from the real work that needs to be done.”
Notably, comparable exams in other countries, like the SAT in the US or IGCSE in the UK, have no such age restrictions, recognizing that students progress at different paces.
Some have called for a more nuanced, case-by-case approach, where schools are empowered to make decisions about exam eligibility based on students’ individual circumstances and abilities.
As the debate rages on, education advocates in Nigeria remain steadfast in their opposition to the proposed age limit policy. They argue the focus should be on expanding access, improving quality, and empowering students of all ages to reach their full potential.
With Nigeria’s education system at a critical juncture, this contentious proposal has become a lightning rod for deeper conversations about the future of learning in the country.
