Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Federal Government has abolished the policy that made a credit pass in O’Level Mathematics compulsory for the admission of Arts students into tertiary institutions across the country.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), the new directive aims to widen access to higher education and provide more opportunities for Nigerian youths seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
The statement, signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, explained that the decision is part of the newly revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
It noted that the revised guidelines are “designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards.”
For decades, admission seekers in Arts and Humanities were required to have at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, just like their counterparts in the Sciences and Social Sciences.
The new framework, however, introduces differentiated requirements based on the field of study and type of institution. It applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies nationwide.
The statement outlined the new requirements as follows:
- Universities: A minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings. Mathematics remains mandatory only for Science, Technology, and Social Science courses.
- Polytechnics (ND Level): A minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language for non-science courses, and Mathematics for science-related programmes.
- Polytechnics (HND Level): A minimum of five (5) credit passes in relevant subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
-
Colleges of Education (NCE Level): A minimum of four (4) credit passes in relevant subjects, with English Language mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, and Mathematics required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.
