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| Anjola Botoku |
Read the interesting story
of little Miss Anjolaoluwa Botoku who sat for two papers in the just concluded
November/December WASSCE and passed both papers. On being interviewed by The
Guardian on this fantastic feat, she called for a downward review of the minimum
age for candidates of the exam so as to give Nigerians the chance to break
records like their counterparts abroad. What do you think? Do you agree?
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| Anjola (9 years old) and her brothers Babajide (17 years old) and Olujiyin (14 years old) |
Nine-year-old Miss
Anjola Victoria Mautin Botoku, a pupil of Edidot School, Badore, Ajah and
daughter of a Lagos Chief Magistrate, took part of her pocket money to register
for last year’s November/December WASSCE with Exam Number 5250802098.
She registered for the
examination at Eti-Osa centre with the assistance of her older siblings but without
her parent’s knowledge passed English and French languages at credit level in a
first attempt with little or no coaching at the tender age of nine.
Interestingly, thousands of candidates have failed English Language at various
attempts even after series of intensive coaching.
Anjolaoluwa registered
as a private candidate for five subjects, namely English Language, Mathematics,
French, Yoruba, Food and Nutrition, and Christian Religious Knowledge but
however sat for only two subjects, English and French, after going through some
past GCE question papers, but was absent for the others because she wasn’t
prepared for them. When the results were released, she scored C6 in English and
C5 in French.
Said Anjola; “I was
aware I was underage and it was illegal but determination and curiosity took
the better part of me.”
Recounting her
experience, Anjola said: “I studied a lot preparing for the exam using old past
question papers of GCE. Nobody was aware in my school what I was up to although
what I learnt at school played a huge role, as well as the coaching from my
parents. My mother was my English teacher while my father took me on French
lessons.”
Her parents were only
brought into the picture after her elder brothers, Babajide 17-year-old
Telecommunication Engineering student in a private university and Olujuyin,
14-year-old SS 2 student of Edidot School, completed the registration for the
exam.
“When I told my
parents about it, they were shocked and felt it was a daring joke considering
my age, but I begged them to coach me for the exam. They both had degrees in
English and French respectively before studying Law. My dad is a bilingual
lawyer and a former French teacher.”
The Grade Six pupil, who
clocked nine on September 17, 2013, said the GCE is a tough examination. But
considering her level of preparation, especially in English, she was
disappointed with her result, as she had expected a B2 or B3.
Anjola’s best wish is to
secure scholarship into a good secondary school. “It would encourage me greatly
to excel because I will feel fulfilled to have stepped into my mother’s shoes.
My mum won a scholarship when she was my age. I am currently preparing for
entrance examination into secondary school and would prefer Lagoon Secondary
School or Atlantic Hall School.”
Among the challenges she
faced sitting for the exam was the peering eyes that stared at her at the exam
hall. Nobody believed she was a candidate. “Several times, I was denied access
into the hall by examiners. It was the biometric test, which matched my
thumbprint with the one in their system that usually saves the situation.
“Some candidates were
mocking me and calling me names like ‘over-ambitious’, ‘wait for your time.’
Another challenge was when the computer rejected my original age. I burst into
tears when my application was rejected. I had to falsify my age by adding five
years before the application could be completed.”
Despite her love for
books, Anjola has a social life. “I love dancing and have won several dancing
competition at most birthday parties and social functions I attend. I like
listening to musicians like Wizkid, PSquare, 2Face, Beyonce, and Rihanna. I
have lots of friends and I relax by playing games on my dad’s iPad, watching
television or swimming.
“In Edidot School, they
usually organize French Day and Miss French pageant competition. I once won the
Miss French competition. Currently, I am the Head-Girl of my school. My daddy
said Paris is a beautiful city. I heard of the famous French proverb ‘See Paris
and die’, and I wish to visit Paris someday.
“My dream is to be a
medical doctor in future. If possible, be the youngest medical doctor in the
history of Nigeria. I will continue reading and preparing for my exams, and
write the GCE again when I officially attain the age of 13. This attempt
was an experiment.”
Anjola decried the age
limit of 13 placed by the exam body, which she said is unfair since in
developed countries, young people are admitted into the university at the age
of nine.
“I would like the
concerned authorities to change the age limit to allow Nigerians break or set
new world records. Recently, a 10-year-old Nigerian passed Microsoft
professional exams; the youngest medical doctor in the world is aged 17.
“Also, the youngest
professor ever, Alla Sabur, became a professor at age 18. She was an
undergraduate at 10 and got her first degree at 14 from New York State
University.
“My message to children
of my age is for them to cultivate the reading culture, be ready to learn and
show seriousness in their studies because having the right attitude is better
than hard-work and knowledge.”
Culled from The Guardian
Culled from The Guardian
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| Fun-loving Anjola at the Arcade |
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