The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed reports suggesting the immediate implementation of a new policy aimed at abolishing the Junior and Senior Secondary School system.
The ministry clarified that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, only presented a proposal for a 12-year basic education system, which is still under consideration.
In response to speculations of an ongoing policy change, the Director of Press at the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, explained in a statement that the proposal must undergo a comprehensive review by the National Council on Education before any decision is reached.
“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on 6 February 2025 in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, presented a proposal for discussion — not an immediate policy change. The proposal seeks to transition to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure.
“A key aspect of this proposal is to eliminate 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 will undertake 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.”
The ministry stressed that stakeholder consultations will be carried out in the coming months to ensure the proposal aligns with national education objectives before a final decision is made.
