The National Assembly has responded to the controversy surrounding the federal government’s decision to prohibit students under the age of 18 from taking the West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate (WASSCE) examination.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
In a statement to the press following the backlash against the policy, the Senate announced that it would hold a public hearing to discuss the issue when it is presented to senators.
The Chairman, the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), said: “The Senate will consider, through it’s relevant committee, public views on any government policy brought to our legislative notice.
Whatever is brought to the Senate for constitutional and statutory stamps shall be subjected to legislative crucible which includes public hearings.”
On his part, the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, said the Green Chamber has no position on the matter yet, as members have not been briefed.
‘’I cannot say anything for now. When the House resumes and the matter is brought before it, it will be looked into,” he said.
Recall that on Sunday, August 25, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, announced plans by the federal government to set the age limit for the examination to 18 years.
The plan has since been condemned by former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and civil society organizations, CSOs as they describe it as archaic and draconian.
They also asked the government to put it on hold and call a meeting of stakeholders in the education sector to deliberate on the matter.
