On the Senate Bill Making NCEE, BECE and SSCE Compulsory for All Nigerian Children
The passage by the Senate of a bill mandating every child to undertake the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) is commendable. It is a legislative step towards strengthening Nigeria’s educational standards and national competitiveness.
However, while the intent is laudable, it is imperative to align this measure with the constitutional duty of the State as stipulated under Section 18(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that Government shall, “as and when practicable, provide free, compulsory and universal primary education, free secondary education, free university education and free adult literacy programmes.”
In this light, the compulsory nature of the examinations must be accompanied by free and equitable access to education from primary to secondary level. To compel without enabling is inconsistent with both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution.
The Senate is therefore urged to complement this bill with legislation guaranteeing free and compulsory basic education across the Federation, backed by adequate budgetary provisions, efficient monitoring, and partnership with sub-national governments. Only then can the constitutional aspiration of eradicating illiteracy and promoting social justice would be achieved.
Olufemi Aduwo