Maths, English remain compulsory for O’Level students – FG
for all candidates registering for their O’Level exams, despite the recent changes to tertiary admission criteria.In a statement released on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Education clarified that the updated policy regarding admission criteria does not exempt any candidate from registering for or taking the two core subjects.
The clarification, which was authenticated by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, came after widespread misunderstandings arose regarding the newly implemented O’Level admission framework.
On Tuesday, Boriowo had previously announced that senior secondary school students focused on the arts and humanities would no longer need to have a credit in Mathematics for admissions to higher education. She noted that this reform was necessary to improve access to higher education, as previous limitations had denied many qualified candidates the opportunity to gain admission.
As stated, while over two million candidates take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination each year, only around 700,000 are granted admission — a disparity the new policy aims to resolve.
Nonetheless, the announcement led to contention among educators, some of whom cautioned that the policy might foster complacency among students and diminish academic standards.
In the latest clarification, the ministry reiterated that the reform does not eliminate the requirement for students to register for and take Mathematics and English Language in their Senior School Certificate Examinations.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, indicated that the reform's goal is to enhance flexibility, inclusivity, and fairness in tertiary admissions, ensuring that competent students are not barred from access due to shortcomings in subjects unrelated to their preferred fields of study.
“The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study,” Alausa stated.
He also mentioned that the new framework conforms to international best practices and aims to rectify the imbalances found in the previous admission system.
While the revised guidelines permit tertiary institutions to admit candidates into specific programs without requiring credit passes in either Mathematics or English, all students are still required to register for and sit both subjects.
“The adjustment solely influences admission criteria for particular programs, not the obligation to take the subjects,” the ministry emphasized.
“All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they continue to be essential components of a solid educational foundation,” the statement read in part.
The ministry reaffirmed that the reform supports the Federal Government’s wider objective of equitable access, inclusivity, and development of human capital, while maintaining quality and integrity in the education system.
It also urged students, parents, and other stakeholders to rely only on the ministry’s official communication channels and verified social media platforms for accurate updates on education reforms and policy changes.
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