The Federal Government’s directive pegging the age of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) candidates to 18 has drawn concern from proprietors of private schools.
President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos Chapter, Alaka Lukman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that pegging the age limit for the candidates for the examinations would lead to delaying and denying some students access to higher education when they complete their secondary education.
“The policy of the government gives us room for concern. We believe that the government is only focusing on the maturity of the students.
“But this is just one of the mental development of any human being.
“Maturity does not come by age alone. This policy can prove detrimental to brilliant students who finish secondary before they clock 18 years.
“Will they have to wait two years extra, before taking WAEC?
“There is a need for the government to give the directive a second thought because it may not be the best for the system and can lead to frustration.
“The development can also lead to potential disparities in students’ educational outcomes, as not all students may have the same opportunities or resources to continue their education until they reach the age of 18.
“Our government should consider the mental health of our students, some are presently facing the pressure of how to quickly go through secondary school because of the financial position of their parents,” he added.
The NAPPS president suggested that the government should rather peg the entry age for students getting into university.
He said admission into university should not be for people of any age.
According to Lukman, the policy would breed teenagers with idle hands roaming about the streets, adding that that could prove detrimental if an alternative way of engaging those teenagers was not provided.