*Some concerned Nigerians have described the Federal Government鈥檚 recent announcement to ban under-18 students from participating in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations and National Examinations Council examinations as 鈥榓nachronistic, unprogressive and anti-development鈥�, others submit the decision can help to achieve 鈥榬eduction of child abuse and child exploitation鈥� in the system

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Sequel to the recent move to apply the extant law on the age limit for secondary school qualifying examinations, concerned Nigerians have expressed disappointment, and endorsement of the Federal Government鈥檚 ban on students under 18 years, which forbids their participation in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

Some stakeholders who commented on the issue reportedly said the Federal Government鈥檚 action is 鈥渁nachronistic, unprogressive and anti-development鈥�.

Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, OON, Honourable Minister for Education

Bishop Joseph Ighalo Edoro, a cleric and public affairs analyst, one of those who spoke on the development, said that banning Under-18 children from WASCE and NECO amounted to retrogression and is unprogressive, Independent report said.

绿帽献妻 reports the West African Senior School Certificate Examination is a type of standardised test in the West African sub-region.

Students who pass the examination receive a certificate confirming their graduation from secondary education, and it is administered by the West African Examinations Council.

Bishop Edoro was quoted to have said: 鈥淢y take on the ban by the Federal Government of Nigeria of candi颅dates below the age of 18 from taking WASCE and NECO is nothing short of a set of backward people running the educa颅tional sector.

鈥淲here is that done? In a con颅temporary and dynamic world that has opened up an array of avenues of competition regardless of age, but with a window for excellence.鈥�

He also asked: 鈥淲here is this done in a world where Nigerians are among the most intelligent kids in the world? What sort of draconian and senseless policy?

鈥淭his is a clear manifesta颅tion of an older generation that has lost touch with reality. The world has become too complex for these old leaders.

鈥淭he contemporary educational curriculum of today鈥檚 society is largely for professors and leaders who are in tune with modern educational reality.鈥�

Edoro stated: 鈥淭hese professors parading themselves in the Ministry are nothing, but incompetent people who are opportune to lord the agenda of depressed and frustrated old generational ideas upon (sic) over the more dynamic youths of today.

鈥淎 Chicago teenager in May, bagged a Doctorate degree. Olaoluwa Oluwadara is Nigeria鈥檚 youngest Doctorate degree holder in Mathematics.

鈥淗e was 24 from the University of Lagos. Check his LinkedIn page and you will see. These men who can frolic with children of 16 years and violate them, also feel they cannot get into school until a certain age.鈥�

The clergy further noted: 鈥淭his policy should be thrown out. It is borne out of hate for a generation so feared by the older class.

鈥淎ustralian-born Askay Ven颅katesh obtained his Doctorate in Mathematics at 20. Shao Yano, a Japanese, started reading at the age of two, playing classical music at three.鈥�

Bishop Edoro added: 鈥淎t age 9, he entered Loyola University. He bagged his Doctorate at 18. Our children have the mental capability. This is an obnoxious policy that all parents must condemn.

鈥淭his is most unfair. It seems to me that these people in charge do not know that there are more pressing issues in the educational sector than this expression of class fear.鈥�

Policy is 鈥榗ompletely anti-progress,鈥� says media executive

Speaking on the development also, Julius Adegunna, a media executive, reportedly stated: 鈥淭his is unprogressive. It is completely anti-progress.

鈥淚n a world where everybody is on a very fast lane, it is most unfortunate that those who claim to be our leaders in Nigeria are dragging us back.

鈥淭he effect is that those who have the means will go elsewhere to pursue their dreams and get good education at a young age.

鈥淚t is likely to affect our already battered foreign exchange system. I do not see it lasting long.鈥�

In his remarks on the ban on under-18 students, Dr. Victor Matthew, a security expert and Executive Director of Kingdom Advocacy Network (KAN), stated: 鈥淭he Nigerian government, having failed woefully in improving the educational sector, will begin to meddle in areas that do not concern them.

鈥淔irst and foremost, some children are very gifted. Therefore, putting a ceiling on such a child, to me, is hindering such an exceptional child鈥檚 abilities and potential.鈥�

Dr. Matthew also said: 鈥淎cademic activities are not war. In Israel, 18-year-olds are already in the military.

鈥淯niversity education is not compulsory, and therefore, there should not be any age barrier in entering tertiary institutions.

鈥淭here are qualifying exams like WASCE and UTME. If any child passes them, he or she should be allowed to proceed.鈥�

The security expert equally quipped: 鈥淭he tertiary environment is a free environment. If the young person can cope, why deny him or her?

鈥淭ertiary education is left to the school, the student and the parents or guardian. If the three parties are in sync, I believe nothing should be a barrier.鈥�

Matthew said: 鈥淭ertiary is not a war arena, but an academic field. Whoever can withstand the academic rigours, should not be prevented. Age is not a determinant of academic abilities.

鈥淭hose in government should concern themselves with creating an enabling environment instead of stifling and hindering people鈥檚 destinies.鈥�

Prof. John Ebhomien, a financial expert and former World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) consultant, reportedly said the Federal Government鈥檚 ban on candidates Under-18 students from taking WASCE and NECO is both worrisome and poorly conceived.

Ebhomien stated: 鈥淭he Federal Ministry of Education should have considered all factors before implementing such a policy, which has sparked significant public concerns.

鈥淚t is essential for the ministry to revisit and review the decision to exclude Under-18 candidates from sitting for these examinations.鈥�

The expert also commented: 鈥淐andidates below 18, who wish to sit for WASCE, NECO, and even JAMB, should be granted the opportunity, if they are so inclined.

鈥淭here are talented children across Nigeria with the capacity and aptitude to take these exams and should not be denied the chance to do so.

鈥淭hese exceptional students should be encouraged to pursue their education without obstruction.鈥�

He further related: 鈥淚n more developed countries, genius children are often placed in special schools where they receive tailored education to meet both their individual needs and national aspirations.

鈥淭he Nigerian government should consider adopting a sim颅ilar approach by establishing special institutions for genius children to help them achieve their goals.鈥�

Prof. Ebhomien submitted: 鈥淚 advise the Federal Ministry of Education to develop a framework for creating model schools or institutions dedicated to nurturing genius students.

鈥淚f Nigeria aims to excel in technological advancements, it is crucial to support and invest in these exceptional young minds through specialised educational programmes.鈥�

Economist: Government鈥檚 decision can help to reduce child abuse and exploitation

Bishop Dr. Herbert Ekechukwu, a church overseer and economist, remarked: 鈥淏an on candidates below the age of 18 years from taking WASCE and NECO.

鈥淭he basic problems of Nigeria are corruption, moral and institutional decay. The fire brigade approach, First Aid approach, and palliative piecemeal approach to beg critical national issues cannot bring tangible and noticeable changes.鈥�

Ekechukwu said: 鈥淟et us tackle the main issues first. However, credit goes to the recent ban it can achieve reduction of child abuse and child exploitation.

鈥淲hen children complete their secondary education at age 14 or 15 years and start working that is child abuse.

鈥淭here will be improvement in education qualities, students will complete their secondary education with a mature mind.鈥�

He also stated: 鈥淚t will prevent underage from taking final examinations. Also, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child is against under age education hence we will be meeting world best practices and international standards.

鈥淚f well implemented, the ban will reduce examination malpractices because younger students are prone to and susceptible to exam malpractices.

The overseer and economist well noted: 鈥淚t will also improve students鈥� preparation for examinations. Adults know the reason they are in school more than juveniles.

鈥淗owever, the two areas we should guard against are the danger of more student drop-out from school and those gifted and talented students that are fast learners and geniuses will not be disadvantaged.鈥�

Dr. Andrews Okhirehbu, a cleric and public affairs commentator, said: 鈥淚 cannot guess or imagine any conceivable rationale undergirding such retrogressive and archaic policy of a supposedly progressive, modern government in this present hi-tech age in this century.

He said about a week ago, 鈥淚 asked my younger brother in Germany how his children are doing in school.

鈥淚 was surprised when he told me that his children told him that several courses they teach in Nigerian universities are what they are taught in their elementary schools over there.鈥�

Okhirehbu added: 鈥淲hy is this government taking retrogressive steps seemingly in virtually all significant aspects that make for speedy development and progress of any citizenry driven nation?

鈥淭o be frank, the proposed policy is unconscionable and unacceptable.鈥�

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