Akwa Ibom State Government has pegged Secondary School starting age at not later than 12 years.
This means that 13-year-olds and above may not be given admission.
The government said the measure became necessary owing to the rising cases of cultism in the state which has seeped through into secondary schools.
The cut-off age was proclaimed during a meeting of the Akwa Ibom state executive council held Thursday 8 July 2021.
The meeting was presided by State Governor Udom Emmanuel. It had in attendance the Deputy Governor Moses Ekpo, Secretary to the State Government Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Chief of Staff Ephraim Inyangeyen, Head of the Civil Service, Honourable Commissioners and Special Adviser.
It held at the executive council chambers of the governor’s office, Uyo.
Comrade Ini Ememobong, Commissioner for Information & Strategy said in a statement that “investigation has revealed that the surge [in cultism] is caused mainly by overaged students who are on a mission of mass recruitment of students into cult groups”.
“However, any student above this age [12] with a genuine reason, will have their parents sign an undertaking of good behaviour, before their admission,” he added.
Last week, Akwa Ibom State House Assembly urged the relevant authorities to begin a complete crackdown against students involved in cult activities.
“These younglings have resorted to these illicit substances as a booster for their egos and self-confidence in their attempts to molest, rape, and carry arms against their teachers, parents/caregivers, peers, colleagues, breach constituted orders and cause rifts and unnecessary chaos within the state,” said Barr Aniefiok Dennis Akpan, Member representing Etinan State Constituency, in a resolution titled ‘Need To Urgently Arrest The Menace Of Substance Abuse Amongst Youth And Students In Akwa Ibom State.’
“A case on notice is the constant and frequent fall-out between Uyo High, Uyo; Technical School, Ewet Offot, Uyo and the surrounding schools within Uyo metropolis.”