The Ministry of Education clarified on Friday that Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had only proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system, not implemented an immediate policy change.
Dismissing reports suggesting that the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS and SSS) system had been scrapped, the ministry emphasized that the proposal remains under review and has not yet been adopted as official policy.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry explained that the proposal would undergo further evaluation by the National Council on Education before any final decision is made.
"At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on February 6, 2025, in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, presented a proposal for discussion-not an immediate policy change. The proposal aims to transition to 12 years of compulsory education while maintaining the existing 6-3-3 structure," the statement read.
A key feature of the proposal is the removal of external examination barriers between JSS and SSS, allowing students to progress seamlessly without additional assessments at that stage. However, the ministry stressed that this remains subject to further discussions and consultations.
To ensure a well-informed decision, the ministry will conduct extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other relevant stakeholders. The final decision on whether to adopt the reform will be determined at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025.
"The ministry urges the public to disregard false claims that JSS and SSS have been scrapped. The Federal Government remains committed to policies that enhance access to quality education while aligning with global best practices."
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