Federal Government Pegs 18 Years For SSCE: Weighing The Advantages And Disadvantages

By Ogwezzy Richardson

The federal government’s recent decision to peg 18 years as the minimum age for candidates to write the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) has sparked intense debate. While very few hail this move as a step towards protecting young minds, many are worried about its negative impact on academic progression.

One of the primary advantages of the 18-year age requirement for Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE is its potential to reduce child labour in Nigeria. Child labour is a pervasive issue in the country, with many children being forced to work under hazardous conditions, often at the expense of their education. By setting the minimum age for Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) at 18, the government aims to ensure that children are not rushed into the workforce after graduating at less than 18 years of age before they are physically, emotionally, and intellectually ready.

For exceptionally gifted children (prodigies) who demonstrate advanced academic abilities beyond their age group, forcing them to wait until they are 18 to write the SSCE could lead to boredom, disengagement, and a waste of their potentials. Children who complete their secondary education ahead of their age group, might require them to repeat a year or wait for two years before writing the SSCE, potentially stifling their academic momentum. This policy might restrict their opportunities, as they may be ready for higher education or other challenges before reaching the age of 18. Gifted or exceptional students from disadvantaged backgrounds, or low-income families or those with limited access to education, might be further marginalized by this policy, as they may not have the resources to afford additional years of schooling.

The recent policy pegging 18 years as the minimum age for writing the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) may have unintended consequences for young students who are currently in junior classes. Many students are admitted into junior secondary school at a relatively young age, typically around 10 years of age. Under normal academic progression, these students will get to SS3 (final class) at around 15-16 years old. However, with the new policy, they will be required to wait for another 2 years before writing the SSCE.

By implementing a rigid age requirement without considering alternative solutions, the policy will force exceptional children to resort to falsification of date of birth to enable them register examination thereby leading to an increase in forgery cases.

The current generation of children has unprecedented access to modern technology, which has revolutionized their learning experience. Unlike the past, today’s children are equipped with: computers and laptops, handsets and smart phones, television and online educational programs, internet facilities, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and adaptive learning tools, social media and online platforms. Compared to the 6-3-3-4 system introduced decades ago, today’s children have a significantly advanced learning environment.

Using the old system as a yardstick for the current generation is inappropriate because of the present technological advancements.The excellent academic performance of secondary school students in recent years is a testament to the positive impact of modern facilities and technological advancements. For instance, the results of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) showed that in 2021, 1,243,470 students out of 1,560,470 students got credit passes in at least five subjects English Language and Mathematics inclusive amounting to 79.7 percent. In 2022, out of total of 1,601,047 candidates who sat for the examination, 1,222,505 had five credit passes and above including English Language and Mathematics, amounting to 76.36 percent. In WAEC 2023 candidates numbering 1,287.940 representing 79.81% of the total candidates obtained credit passes and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics. In 2024 out of 1,805,216 candidates that entered for examination 1,301,949 candidates got credit passes in five subjects including English Language and Mathematics accounting to 72.9 percent of total candidates.

ALSO READ: Nibo Killings: Governor Soludo Condoles With Families Of Slain Persons, Cracks Down Against Cultism

The high percentage of students scoring five credit passes in Mathematics and English Language (above 72 % from 2021 to 2024) suggest that the academic performance of students in Nigeria is significantly improving. With such a high percentage of students achieving five credits in core subjects, it is clear that, students are capable of performing well academically regardless of age. The education system in Nigeria is producing good results, at least in Senior Secondary Certificate Examination performance. The focus of Federal Government of Nigeria, should shift from age to other factors that might be influencing or improving students’ academic performance so that the education system can be improved such as, providing teachers with ongoing training and development to enhance teaching skills, investing in modern infrastructure and resources that can give room to conducive learning environment for students, adequate security of lives of students and teachers, regularly reviewing and updating the curriculum and its relevance and inclusivity for all students. Providing comprehensive student support services that can help address the emotional and physiological needs of the students, expanding assessment and evaluation methods beyond traditional examination that can help measure critical thinking and creativity in students.

This consistent high performance debunks the notion that the age of the students has no negative effect on Senior School Certificate (SSC) results. On the contrary, it suggests that: By recognizing these factors, we can acknowledge that the age of the students is not a determining factor in their academic success. Instead, it is the quality of education, resources, and support that matters. This understanding can help us focus on providing the best possible education for our children, rather than relying on outdated assumptions about age and academic ability.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, should focus on addressing the pressing economic issues affecting Nigerian citizens, such as the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and poverty. The current economic hardship is taking a toll on people’s mental health, with increasing cases of depression, anxiety, and even suicide. It is crucial for the government to prioritize these critical issues over debating age pegs. The economy needs urgent attention, and the Federal Government should take concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian citizens. Let us hope they refocus their priorities and work towards creating a more prosperous and equitable society for all.