Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has dispelled recent media reports suggesting that the federal government has scrapped the existing Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) system in favor of a new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model.
Speaking on Friday, Dr. Alausa stressed that the proposal he presented at the Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) Meeting on February 6, 2025, was intended solely for discussion and was not an immediate policy change.
According to the minister, the proposal envisions a seamless transition between the current educational stages by eliminating the examination barrier between JSS and SSS.
“We are looking to migrate from nine years of compulsory education to 12 years, while retaining our primary school, JSS, and SSS structures,” he explained. Dr. Alausa noted that the reform is aimed at addressing the declining quality of education and preparing Nigerian students for the future.
The ministry plans to engage in extensive stakeholder consultations over the next eight months, including discussions with state governments, educators, parents, and other key players.
A final decision on the proposed reform is expected at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025. He urged the public to disregard claims that the existing systems have been scrapped.
