The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has expressed support for the Federal Government’s decision to peg the minimum age for candidates sitting for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at 18 years.
In an exclusive interview, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Mark Useni, stated that the decision is meant to ensure that children pursue their education alongside their cognitive and physical development and maturity.
Useni noted that the policy is not peculiar to Nigeria, citing military and paramilitary institutions which place the entry age at 18 years, as well as the voting age in Nigeria being pegged at 18 years.
While acknowledging concerns about the policy’s implementation, Useni emphasized the need for a framework to ensure a smooth transition and prevent students already progressing in senior classes from being stranded.
The Committee has mandated the Minister of Education to work out ways of handling the policy based on available data and ensure that it does not jeopardize public interest.
