The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa has reversed the decision of the past minister of education on the 18-years admission benchmark into tertiary institutions.

Mr Alausa spoke at his inaugural press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, what led to that initial decision was the way the National Policy on Education was designed.

He said, “We will not be going forward with the 18-years admission benchmark. We will go for 16 years and we are going to meet with JAMB and others on that. There will also be exceptions for the gifted students. Eighteen-years is not part of our policy again.’’

Addressing the withdrawal of certificates obtained from Benin Republic and Togo, Mr Alausa stated that the policy would remain in place to help eliminate fake certificates from the system.

Regarding the out-of-school children issue, he noted this as a key priority for the ministry, adding that various solutions would be considered to reduce their numbers.

He said the ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide conditional cash transfers as incentives for students to increase school enrolment.

He also mentioned that nutritional programmes would be introduced to support students’ health, thereby enhancing human capital development.

The minister, along with the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, was officially welcomed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Nasiru Sani-Gwarzo.

(NAN)