- Proposal aims to streamline secondary education, not scrap it
- Final decision expected at National Council on Education meeting in October
The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed reports suggesting an immediate overhaul of the nation’s secondary school structure, clarifying that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, only proposed a transition to a 12-year basic education system.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry emphasized that the proposal remains under discussion and has not yet been approved as government policy. This clarification follows widespread speculation that the existing Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS and SSS) divisions were being abolished.
According to the ministry’s Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, the proposal was presented during an Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting in Abuja on February 6. “The Honourable Minister of Education outlined a concept for discussion, not an immediate policy change. The idea is to introduce a seamless 12-year compulsory education model while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure,” the statement read.
A key feature of the proposal is the removal of external transition exams between JSS and SSS, allowing students to progress without additional assessment barriers. However, the ministry stressed that this remains a proposal and will undergo extensive consultations before any decisions are made.
“To ensure an inclusive and informed approach, the ministry will engage with key stakeholders, including state governments, education policymakers, teachers, and parents, over the next eight months. A final resolution will be reached at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025,” the statement added.
The ministry urged the public to disregard false reports claiming the current school system has been scrapped. It reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to policies that improve access to quality education while aligning with global best practices.
