Parents Divided Over New Age Limit for WASSCE and UTME Exams
Parents Divided Over New Age Limit for WASSCE and UTME Exams
By AmforGod J. Olisa
Parents have voiced mixed reactions to the Federal Government’s recent decision to set 18 years as the minimum age for candidates taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination (UTME). While some parents supported the policy, stating it is long overdue, others criticized it as counterproductive for Nigeria.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced that starting next year, students under 18 years old will not be allowed to take WASSCE, NECO, or UTME exams, or be considered for university admission. The government aims to enforce its 6-3-3-4 education policy, which stipulates that a child should begin primary school at age six, complete junior and senior secondary education by age 18, and then proceed to higher education.
Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, the national president of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (PTA), expressed strong support for the policy, emphasizing the need for emotional maturity in students. He argued that rushing children through education is often done by wealthy parents who can afford private schools, which may not consider a child’s emotional readiness.
Similarly, Mrs. Mariachukwu Tata, another parent, supported the policy, saying that children should progress through life stages appropriate for their age to ensure healthy development.
In contrast, some parents, led by Mrs. Yinka Ogunde of Edumark Consult, criticized the age restriction and urged the government to reconsider. They warned of long-term consequences, such as students idling for years before qualifying for university entrance exams. They suggested the policy should target foundational education rather than terminal exams.
Deacon Olusoji Adams, chairman of the Parent-Forum for Lagos Public Schools, also opposed the policy, labeling it unfair and questioning if age will solve other pressing issues like infrastructure or teacher salaries.
Meanwhile, Mr. Felix Olorunda, a security consultant, condemned the policy as outdated, arguing that it distracts from more significant national issues.