The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said that the 18 years age limit for students writing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations policy was not in the best interest of the nation’s education sector.
This was stated by the NANS President, Comrade Pedro Chibuzor, during a “Campaign against Social Vices” workshop held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, over the weekend.
The students’ leader faulted the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on the implementation of the policy, which had since generated reactions.
It will be recalled that the minister had, last month, announced a ban on individuals below 18 years from participating in the WAEC and NECO exams, saying the directive on age requirement was a reaffirmation of existing regulations.
The NANS President noted that the Minister should not have made the pronouncement l, having failed to consult with relevant stakeholders.
He expressly said that the apex students body will not accept the policy which he said is inimical to the nation’s educational system.
He added that the policy was capable of breeding “overgrown people” in universities and polytechnics across the country which may in turn accelerate the rate of cultism and other vices on campuses.
Chibuzor said, “Obviously the Minister of Education has made it a very big issue because it is a policy statement. He made the statement about few weeks ago that if you are not 18 years, you cannot write WAEC.
“What if you are 18 years old and you write WAEC, scored As in virtually all the subjects but in English Language you got F9 or E8. Are you saying the person would have to wait till age 19 before he writes again? That is the question the Minister needs to answer.
“That’s why we are the National Association of Nigerian Students are saying no to that policy. Policy statements are not something you just do without consultation. You must consult widely.”
The NANS President, who claimed that his association was not consulted before the decision on age restriction was announced, contended that the minister missed the point as his directive could lead to frustration.
He added, “Probably he (the minister) feels that he can take decision on his own. But I can assure you that the decision is not in the best interest of Nigerian educational sector. Like I said when I was talking about having overgrown people in our universities and polytechnics, it also contributes to cultism. We must be frank with ourselves.
“Before now, in year 2000 or 2003, you would see on pages of newspapers that a high number of students were killed as a result of cult attacks; I wouldn’t want to call names. But we saw most of those stories occurring and recurring. But now you can bear me witness that such incidents have reduced drastically. We are not saying there is no cultism in our campuses, but to an extent, it has reduced.
“And the question is: has the minister of education found out what contributed to reduction in cultism in our campuses? For me, and with the little research and consultation we have done as an organisation, age is a factor.
“When you have somebody who is 25 years old on campus in 100 Level, the person is also thinking about other things. He’s frustrated; he’s looking at his colleagues or age mates who have graduated and doing something better. So, he channels that frustration to a different thing entirely that is going to be detrimental to the society.”
The NANS President, therefore, urged the Federal Government to immediately reverse the policy in the interest of youths and the generality of the citizens.
He also reiterated the resolve of the apex students body to fight against drug abuse, sexual harassment and other social vices on campuses while calling on well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate with NANS in its current advocacy.
Earlier in his address, the Clerk of Senate, NANS Headquarters and Chief Host, Comrade Abdugekinn Odunayo, said the workshop with the theme, “Breaking the chains of social vices: Empowering the youth” was organised to educate students about the dangers of social vices and promote a safe and healthy learning environment.
He noted that by organising the event, NANS had continued to demonstrate its commitment to promoting student well-being, academic success and overall development.
“Today’s campaign is not just an awareness initiative, it is a call to action. We must challenge the existing narrative that normalise these social vices and replace them with narratives of empowerment, strength and positivity,” Odunayo submitted.
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