By Emmanuel Kwada
The federal government is considering a major overhaul of the country’s education system, with plans to scrap Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) in favor of a compulsory 12-year basic education program. This move, announced by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, aims to bring Nigeria’s education system in line with global best practices and reduce dropout rates.
If approved, the new policy would replace the existing 6-3-3-4 system with a 12-4 model, ensuring uninterrupted learning for students up to the age of 16. The government also proposes setting a minimum entry age of 16 for tertiary institutions.
The proposed 12-4 model of education is expected to eliminate financial and systemic barriers that currently prevent students from completing secondary education, thereby reducing dropout rates
According to the Minister, this new policy would not only standardize the curriculum across the nation but also facilitate early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for both higher education and employment. The proposed 12-4 model of education is expected to eliminate financial and systemic barriers that currently prevent students from completing secondary education, thereby reducing dropout rates.
The Federal Ministry of Education has been working towards reforming the education system, with a focus on providing universal and equal access to quality basic and secondary education. The ministry’s Department of Basic and Secondary Education has been mandated to initiate and formulate policies for basic and secondary education, including setting standards and providing operational guidelines for setting up schools.
Scrap Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) in favor of a compulsory 12-year basic education program
The proposed education reform has the potential to significantly impact the country’s education sector, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the National Council on Education’s deliberations. As the government moves forward with this proposal, it will be interesting to see how it is implemented and what effects it will have on the education system as a whole.
