The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a new ban prohibiting students who are under the age of 10 from taking the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) into Federal Government Colleges. The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, at a press conference held in Abuja on Monday.
Echono stated that the new policy was put in place to ensure that students at such tender ages are not subjected to any undue pressure or stress caused by attending boarding schools. He also noted that it was necessary to bring the educational policies of the country in line with international best practices.
The Permanent Secretary further explained that students seeking admission into Federal Government Colleges, who would be taking the CEE, must have attained the age of 10 by September 1st of the year they are seeking admission. This means that students who are currently in Primary Four or below will not be eligible to write the examination.
This decision by the Federal Government has been met with mixed reactions. While some parents have welcomed the move, as it will help to safeguard the health and well-being of their children, others have expressed their disappointment. They argue that the Federal Government should have given sufficient notice before implementing such a policy.
It is important to recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria had earlier banned all forms of examination malpractice and set up a task force to monitor the activities of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure that only credible candidates are admitted into the nation’s tertiary institutions.
This latest development in the education sector is seen as another move by the Federal Government of Nigeria to improve the standard of education in the country and enhance the well-being of young Nigerians.
