Government Clarifies Misconceptions About New Education Policy
Despite rumors circulating among the public, the federal government has not yet implemented its new education policy aimed at regulating the age of students taking senior school certificate exams and entering universities. Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, debunked the misconceptions while addressing reporters in Abuja during the 2024 International Literacy Day event.
Dr. Sununu clarified that Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman’s statement regarding restricting underage students from taking exams was misunderstood. The focus was on the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions, set at 18 years under Nigeria’s 6:3:3:4 education system.
The Minister expressed concern over underage university admissions and emphasized that the policy is still in progress. He highlighted the need for alignment with legislative activities to address the issue effectively. Dr. Sununu also cited instances where universities admitted children as young as 10 years old.
As the government continues to work on the new education policy, clarity is essential to avoid further misunderstandings among the public.
By Joseph Erunke, Abuja