The Federal Ministry of Education has addressed recent reports suggesting the immediate elimination of Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) tiers. Contrary to these claims, the ministry clarified that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has proposed a transition to a 12-year basic education system, which is currently under consideration and not yet implemented.
In a statement released on February 7, 2025, Director of Press Folasade Boriowo emphasized that the proposal aims to extend compulsory education to 12 years while retaining the existing 6-3-3 structure. A significant aspect of this proposal is the removal of the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, allowing students to progress seamlessly without external assessments at that stage. However, this remains subject to further consultation and deliberation.
To ensure a well-informed decision, the ministry plans to conduct extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players. The final decision on whether to adopt this reform will be made 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.
