By: Prince Adedapo David Oluwadamilare

The recent decision by the Federal Government to mandate that students must be 18 years old before sitting for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams requires a reconsideration. While the age restriction for university entrance is understandable, considering the maturity needed for tertiary education, imposing the same restriction for secondary school exit exams is impractical and detrimental to students' development.

First, it is important to recognize that not all students pass their WAEC or NECO exams on the first attempt. Many students may require an additional year or more to achieve success in these exams. Pegging the minimum age at 18 will inadvertently disadvantage students who fail initially but possess the drive and determination to catch up academically. By the time they reach the age of 18, they would have already lost valuable time, potentially falling behind their peers. An age restriction, in this case, limits opportunities for students to progress at their own pace.

Second, allowing students to complete their secondary education before the age of 18 opens doors to critical skill acquisition opportunities. Graduating early provides these students with a period where they can explore vocational training, technical skills, and other productive endeavors before transitioning to higher education or the workforce. This time can be used to gain practical, hands-on experience in areas like coding, digital literacy, or entrepreneurship, which are increasingly vital in today’s economy. Forcing students to delay their exit from secondary school unnecessarily restricts their ability to access these developmental experiences.

In conclusion, while age may play a significant role in shaping cognitive, psychomotor, and affective development, a rigid age limit for WAEC and NECO does more harm than good. The Federal Government should prioritize flexibility, allowing students to complete their exams when they are academically ready, rather than imposing an arbitrary age restriction.

Prince Adedapo David Oluwadamilare ,

Ogun State.