The federal government has clarified that Mathematics is not a compulsory requirement for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions to study arts and humanities, even as it reaffirmed that both Mathematics and English remain core subjects at the O’Level.

The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, made the clarification on Sunday in a statement signed by the ministry’s director of press and public relations, Boriowo Folasade.

According to the statement, the new policy does not exempt any candidate from these core subjects but rather introduces a more inclusive and flexible approach to tertiary admission requirements.

The minister said, “All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation.”

Mr Alausa, insisted that both Mathematics and English remain core subjects for all candidates sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, with no student exempted.

“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.”

The ministry, therefore, advised stakeholders to only rely on its official communication channels and verified social media platforms for accurate updates on reforms and policies.

According to the ministry, the clarification became imperative following the public misinterpretation of the new policy on streamlined admission criteria, after reports on Tuesday, claimed O’ Level students in arts and humanities were exempted from scoring credits in Mathematics to secure university and polytechnic admission.