The answer to the question, when did SSCE start in Nigeria, is given below. In 1988, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to reevaluate the school system starting from the primary to tertiary level.
A new system called the 6-3-3-4 was introduced during the tenure of Prof Jibril Aminu as Minister of Education in 1989. The 6-3-3-4 system was devised to empower students and equip them with knowledge to become self-employed at an early age.
Explanation of the 6-3-3-4 System of Education
The system was also put in place to guard against underage children participating in levels of education where their age was too tender to handle the rigours of such levels.
Broken down simply, the 6-3-3-4 system is represented thus:
6 – 6 years of primary education
3 – 3 years of junior secondary school education
3 – 3 years of senior secondary school education
4 – 4 years of tertiary education (which is the number of years of many university courses with the exception of a few).
After the 3 years of junior secondary education students will sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). They will be awarded a certificate for that level of education which is to be recognized by employers of labour.
Having written the BECE, students will be promoted to the senior secondary school section which also spans a period of 3 years. At the end of the third year, students will sit for the Senior School Certificate Examination.
The Beginning of SSCE in Nigeria
This can be said to be the start of SSCE in Nigeria because previously, the examination for students who have completed the five years of secondary school education was known as the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE).
The regional examination body, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) conducted this examination simultaneously in about five countries in West Africa. WAEC also organized an equivalent examination for people who had left the school system but wished to write the school certificate examination. This particular examination was termed the General Certificate in Education (GCE)
Subsequent examinations for final year secondary school students after the introduction of the 6-3-3-4 system of education was known and called the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Therefore, the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) became known as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). When the National Examinations Council (NECO) secured approval to also conduct examinations for only Nigerian students in the final year of secondary education, that examination was called the Senior School Certificate Examination.
When did SSCE Start in Nigeria
Therefore, the answer to when did SSCE start in Nigeria, is 1990. It was brought about by the introduction of the 6-3-3-4 system of education. The last set to write WASCE in Nigeria was the class of 1988. From 1990 till date, students in the final year of secondary education have written WASSCE and NECO’s SSCE.
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You may also wish to read more on SSCE full meaning, or SSCE certificate meaning. If you are preparing to write the Senior School Certificate Examination, either with NECO or WAEC, you will find the past WAEC questions and answers beneficial in helping you to get ready for the examination.
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