FG scraps junior, senior secondary system of education

The Federal Government has called on the National Council on Education (NCE), to scrap Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools and adopt a compulsory 12 years of uninterrupted basic education.

If it scales through, this would abolish the  6-3-3-4 education system and bring in place, 12-4 model of education in the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who made the call at the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting, also sought the approval of the NCE to officially adopt 16 years as minimum entry age requirement into the country’s tertiary institutions.

Alausa noted that besides being inline with global best practices, by subsuming secondary education into basic education, students would benefit from uninterrupted learning up to the age of 16,  after which they could aspire for higher education.

According to him the new policy would also reduce dropout rates by eliminating financial and systemic barriers that currently prevent students from completing secondary education.

He said: “Extending basic education to 12 years will ensure a standardized curriculum that is uniformly implemented across the nation. This will also facilitate early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for both higher education and employment.

“Many developed nations have implemented similar systems where basic education spans 12 years, ensuring that students acquire foundational knowledge before specializing at tertiary levels. This reform also aligns Nigeria’s education system with international standards, fostering better educational outcomes and global competitiveness.

“Educated youth contribute significantly to national development. When students receive an extended period of compulsory education, they are better equipped to join the workforce with relevant skills. This reform will also reduce child labor and other social vices resulting from premature school dropouts”.

The minister highlighted the implementation strategies to successfully integrate secondary education into basic education to include: policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training and recruitment, funding and partnerships, curriculum enhancement.

“Incorporating technical, vocational, and digital literacy education to equip students with 21st-century skills from their early stage of education.

“The future of Nigeria’s education system depends on bold and strategic decisions. There is need for radical change in our educational system if it will remain a veritable tool for socio-economic growth and development. Primary and secondary school management is the exclusive preserve of the sub national governments while the Federal Government provides technical and funding support.

“Everyone’s attention need to be drawn of the fact that we do have a problem in the sector and we need to understand the nature of the problem and consider our capacity and ability to effect the necessary changes based on the magnitude of what needs to be done and then devise a structure that will ensure sustainability of improving our educational system.

“Subsuming secondary education into basic education to span 12 years is a necessary step towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and globally competitive system. It is time for us to embrace this reform to secure the future of our children and ultimately, the prosperity of our nation”.