The National Assembly has moved to address the escalating controversy surrounding the Federal Government’s recent proposal to impose an age limit of 18 years for students to be eligible for the West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
This proposal, which was announced by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, has sparked widespread criticism from various quarters, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several civil society organizations (CSOs), who have condemned the policy as “outdated and harsh.”
Critics are calling on the government to pause the implementation of this policy and to convene a discussion with key stakeholders in the education sector to reconsider the issue.
In light of the public outcry, the Senate has announced that it plans to conduct a public hearing on the matter once it is formally presented to the legislators. Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), who chairs the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, commented, “The Senate, through its relevant committee, will take into account public opinions on any government policy brought to our attention. Any proposal that requires constitutional or statutory approval will be subjected to thorough legislative scrutiny, including public hearings.”
Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, also noted that the House has not yet taken a stance on the issue, as members have not been formally briefed. “I can’t comment at this time. Once the House resumes and the matter is presented, it will be thoroughly examined,” he stated.
