By Gabriella Ogbu
The National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NPTAN) has expressed its backing for Education Minister Professor Tahir Mamman’s proposal to raise the entry age limit for postsecondary education from 16 to 18 years old. Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, the national president of NPTAN, endorsed this move during a special interview with Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday.
Danjuma emphasized the need for collaboration between the Federal Government and key testing organizations, namely the National Examination Council (NECO), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), to implement this policy effectively.
He highlighted the tendency for affluent and educated parents to rush their children’s education, leading to early entry into educational institutions without considering emotional development. Danjuma clarified that the Minister’s remarks aimed to caution parents against such practices.
In order to enforce the new age requirement, Danjuma urged WAEC, NECO, and JAMB to only register students who meet the appropriate age criteria for their respective exams, aligning with national education policies.
Specifically, Danjuma proposed that NECO and state examination boards refrain from registering students below the age of eleven for primary six exams, while WAEC and NECO should not register students under 17 for senior secondary exams. Additionally, he suggested that JAMB restrict registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to students aged 17 and above.
Danjuma emphasized the importance of adhering to age requirements at each educational stage and questioned why age verification is not a stricter barrier to underage registration.
While acknowledging the financial implications for testing organizations, Danjuma stressed the necessity of prioritizing educational standards over monetary gains. He suggested that requiring National Identity Numbers (NINs) during registration could help enforce age restrictions effectively.
In conclusion, Danjuma urged Minister Mamman to initiate discussions with relevant authorities to formalize the age limit policy and ensure its implementation nationwide. The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNUs) refrained from commenting on the matter until receiving official communication from the Ministry of Education.
