By Saheed Ibrahim
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Divergent views are trailing the Federal Ministry of Education’s policy that children below 12 years old cannot be admitted into Unity schools nationwide.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr David Andrew Adejo, recently gave the directive on Saturday in Abuja while monitoring the conduct of the 2023 Common Entrance Examination into the 110 Federal Government Colleges across the Federation.
Reacting, a retired education officer from Eshe Akoko Northwest local government, Mr Sunday Dada, lauded the Ministry of Education for the policy, saying many parents are in haste to send their wards to school.
He added that maturity and the right school age would enhance learning and reading culture while the issues of self-consciousness and confidence of the children will be more guaranteed.
However, a retired school principal from Isua in Akoko South East, Mr Jide Afolabi, criticised the federal government for not doing much in the education sector in the country, saying school age should not be the priority.
He said the government should prioritise providing school materials and conducive learning and teaching environment for pupils and teachers.
An educationist, Mr Shedu Ikumuyite, appealed to the government to facilitate the recruitment of more qualified teachers in schools, and educationists like the late Prof. Babs Fafunwa should be appointed Minister of Education.
