Education: No gender barrier

In my part of the world, one of the controlling forces determining one’s length and capacity in education is finance. As long as one has enough money to study, there is no limit to the height the person can attain in schooling, acquiring knowledge, and earning certificates. If one wants to study how the religious heaven in the clouds operates and the person has the money, the person can go for such a study and acquire a certificate.

Also, there are no restrictions based on gender. There is no limited stage for women; absolutely anyone, including the elderly with just three teeth left in their mouth due to old age, can go to any length to study and acquire certificates as long as the money to sponsor the whole process is available and the strength to endure it is there.

Currently, I know a lady who has been making inquiries and progress toward furthering her education internationally. At first, I did not believe her because I thought it was a joke, considering the kind of home she comes from. When I learned that it was true and also discovered her progress, I was surprised because she has already spent a lot of money and is still going to spend more. She has a financially capable sponsor, and that is the starting point for such a plan.

The idea and plan of the lady impressed me a lot because I never thought she could consider furthering her education for a master’s degree abroad, of all places. That is so amazing. Gone are the days when ladies were considered only as housewives and dragged their feet when it came to sponsoring them to complete an ordinary OND in a polytechnic.

However, there is age restriction at certain stages.

This age restriction is only applicable to the junior levels of education in Nigeria, and there is a certain age limit for young ones allowed to register for JAMB, which is the first stage of examination taken when seeking admission into a tertiary institution. From what was circulated at the time it was announced, it was said that there was an alarming rate at which very young children were being pushed into tertiary institutions. At such tender ages, they would barely know their right from wrong in the higher institution environment, which is considered an independent and adult world.

Do you want to know the age? It is 16 years. Oh yes, a boy or girl below the age of 16 years is not allowed into a tertiary institution.

Also, another area where a little bit of restriction comes in is in going for NYSC. There is a maximum age range set for students to be enrolled, and if one is older than that age, then the student (young graduate) must apply for exemption. This does not mean that the person cannot further their education; of course, they can. It only means that they will miss the NYSC year experience.

Aside from the age issue, I do not think there is any other restriction. There is nothing like a restriction based on gender in education in Nigeria.

Thanks for reading.

This is my entry to Week 178, Edition 01 of the Weekly Featured contest in Hive Learners Community

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