The Federal Ministry of Education has set the records straight with regards to the controversy revolving around alleged age-restriction for candidates seeking to write Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations
According to the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, who spoke on the issue in Abuja on Friday – the ministry has not stopped students who are not up to 18 years old from writing the exams.
Disclosing this while fielding questions from Newsmen at an event to mark the 2024 International Literacy Day, Sununu described the public misconception and misinterpretation of what was said by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman as ‘highly disappointing’
He said that the minister was only speaking on the 18 years of entry age into the tertiary institutions as was practised in the 6:3:3:4 system of education in the country.
Speaking on International Literacy Day, Sununu underscored the critical role of literacy in fostering mutual understanding, peace and socio-economic development.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to addressing literacy challenges through the Education for Renewed Hope road-map (2024-2027).
The Minister also highlighted youth and adult literacy as key components while emphasising the importance of using learners’ mother tongues as a medium of instruction.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education, Professor Simon Akpama, reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to integrating multilingual education into schools’ literacy programmes.
The theme for this year’s World Literacy Day is:- “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”