The federal government has announced that exceptionally gifted children under the age of 18 may now be allowed to sit for the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
Ejes Gist News reports that this latest update follows debates over the previously set age limits for candidates enrolling in WAEC, NECO, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams.
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Speaking during a visit to the Federal Government Academy in Suleja on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, revealed plans to establish clear guidelines for identifying and supporting gifted children. He explained this was necessary due to the new education policy that imposed age limits on candidates taking WAEC and NECO exams.
During the visit, Prof. Mamman, alongside Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, also announced a two-week extension to the resumption date for students at the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, due to ongoing renovations.
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He stated that students should not return to an environment that is not fully prepared for learning, adding that the resumption date has been pushed from September 8th to the 18th, barring any unforeseen delays.
“We can’t have young students return when there is work still in progress. Plumbing, showers, water, and other facilities are not yet fully functional, so the school must be ready,” Mamman said. “We’ve granted a 10-day extension, and they will make up for the lost time.”
Expressing concern over the current state of the school, Mamman reassured that the government is committed to providing the necessary resources to bring the school up to the required standard.
He further noted that the Federal Government Academy is the only institution of its kind in Nigeria, designed to cater to students with exceptional abilities. However, he acknowledged that maintenance had been a major challenge.
“What we’ve seen so far doesn’t meet our expectations for this type of school. While some progress has been made, it’s far from the destination we’re aiming for,” Mamman said. He commended the school’s principal for her efforts with limited resources, emphasizing that students at the academy do not pay fees, unlike other institutions where minor charges are applied.
The minister pledged to offer substantial support to upgrade the school’s infrastructure to a more suitable standard for its purpose.
Mamman also highlighted the decline in school facilities across Nigeria, particularly at lower government levels, and stressed the need to create environments where students can thrive academically and socially.
He expressed satisfaction with the newly established skills acquisition centre at the school, describing it as a positive move for Nigeria’s education system. The centre will help students from foundational education through secondary school acquire valuable skills for life beyond academics.
“This initiative will ensure that students who graduate from secondary school are equipped with practical skills, allowing them to contribute to society and pursue careers without being left stranded,” he added.
