Enrollment in Higher Education at 18 is a Positive Step but Limiting the Age of

Enrollment in Higher Education at 18 is a Positive Step but Limiting the Age of National SSCE Exams Calls for Reconsideration

While enrolling in higher education at the age of 18 is a reasonable approach, I am concerned about the idea of limiting the age for writing the National Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to 18. The logic behind this age restriction needs to be carefully re-evaluated, especially considering the mathematics of age. Let’s take a common example: a child who turns 6 in August and starts Primary 1. This child will be 18 in August of their Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) year. However, SSCE registration begins around February, and the exams are usually concluded by July. In this scenario, the child would only be 17.5 at the time of registration and still under 18 when the exams are completed. The same would apply to children who turn 6 in September, October, or later in the year. Would there be any special consideration for such students who are academically ready but have not yet reached the age of 18? Furthermore, it is important to look at SSCE not just as a gateway for university admission but also as a tool for assessing a student's understanding of the Senior Secondary (SS) curriculum. SSCE should certify a student’s level of competence and knowledge upon passing. The three-year SS1 to SS3 structure was designed based on the average student's ability to assimilate information in a group setting. However, very brilliant students who study independently may complete this curriculum in one and a half to two years. Why should such students be forced to wait before testing their competency? In many private schools, students are registered for the GCE (October/November) immediately after SS2 to evaluate their readiness for the SSCE in May/June of the following year. Students who have completed the SS curriculum should be allowed to take the SSCE, regardless of age, as long as they are prepared. Unlike the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which is a matriculation exam for university admission, the SSCE is not designed to be limited by age. We should, therefore, avoid placing age-based restrictions on the SSCE, particularly when many students are capable of passing it earlier.

Bridging the Gap Between SSCE and UTME

Another critical issue is the knowledge gap between SSCE and UTME, which is seldom discussed. UTME should be treated more like a six-month to one-year A-Level study, where students have adequate time for study and preparation. Instead of imposing very low cutoff marks due to students’ poor performance in UTME, education stakeholders should create space for students to prepare thoroughly for the UTME. If students are allowed to write SSCE before they turn 18, they will have more time to focus on the UTME curriculum and prepare adequately.

Localizing Solutions to Our Educational Challenges

While we can certainly learn from other countries, every solution must be tailored to our unique circumstances. Applying an 18-year age limit to the SSCE does not address the realities faced by many students. In fact, many students do not pass the SSCE on their first attempt, and most job opportunities for these graduates are capped at around 25 years of age. Implementing rigid restrictions could unintentionally create more problems than we are trying to solve.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the 18-year age limit for university admission is appropriate, especially given the current structure of our higher education system, placing an 18- year limit on the SSCE is not a good idea. It will likely create more issues than it resolves. Students should be assessed based on their readiness, not their age. By doing so, we can better prepare them for the challenges of higher education and beyond.

By JK Adewole