The Federal Government has dismissed reports claiming it plans to abolish the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS-SSS) system, clarifying that it aims to integrate secondary education into an expanded basic education framework.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Education Minister Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa explained that the government is proposing a transition to 12 years of compulsory education while maintaining the existing 6-3-3 system structure.
“What we’re saying is that we need to move from what we have now as nine years of compulsory education to 12 years of compulsory education as it’s obtained in other parts of the world,” Alausa said. The proposal, introduced at Thursday’s Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting, notably seeks to remove examination barriers between JSS and SSS levels.
The minister expressed concern about declining educational standards, stating, “Today, our quality of instruction and education is falling. We’re not preparing them for the future.”
The proposed changes will undergo extensive stakeholder consultation over the next eight months, with a final decision expected at the National Council on Education Meeting in October 2025. Consultations will include policymakers, state governments, teachers, and parents.
Additional approved initiatives include a national anti-bullying policy, the use of native languages in primary education, and new policies for minimum age requirements in tertiary institutions.
Alausa also revealed plans to seek increased funding for basic education. “I’m going to go to Mr President about increasing the current level of funding to add basic education to 2% of conservative revenue to 5% of conservative revenue,” he said.
The proposal aims to align Nigeria’s education system with global standards, citing examples from the United States, United Kingdom, and Ghana, where 12 years of education are mandatory. The ministry explained that implementation will proceed only after thorough stakeholder engagement and careful consideration of potential impacts on the educational sector.
The clarification comes amid growing public discussion about the future of Nigeria’s education system.
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