By Joke Kujenya
THE FEDERAL Government has given clarifications on its proposed new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model, saying it is to ensure that students complete their schooling from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary 3 without external assessment barriers.
This plan, discussed at an Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting, aims to improve access, retention, and completion rates while aligning Nigeria’s education system with global best practices.
The meeting, led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, state commissioners for education, and other stakeholders, reviewed several key policies, including the National Language Policy, the National Policy on Education, and Nigeria’s first Anti-Bullying Policy.
Starting with, a major proposal put forward was the repositioning of Federal Science and Technology Colleges (FSTCs) into Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs), alongside a reversal of the 16-year-old age enrolment criteria for tertiary institutions.
Dr. Alausa therefore clarified that the proposed reforms do not mean the scrapping of the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) structure but instead focus on eliminating barriers between these levels to ensure a seamless transition for students.
He noted that the new approach, which retains the current 6-3-3 education system, seeks to reduce dropout rates and enhance learning outcomes by ensuring that every child completes 12 years of education.
Additionally, the Council reviewed plans to develop a National Policy on Almajiri Education to integrate marginalised groups into the formal education system.
Another significant development was the extension of compulsory education from nine to twelve years, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for all Nigerian children.
Dr. Alausa urged the public to disregard misleading reports suggesting that JSS and SSS had been abolished.
He assured that the government remains dedicated to strengthening the education sector through comprehensive policy reviews and stakeholder engagement.
He reiterated that the final decision on the 12-year uninterrupted model will be reached after consultations, culminating in the October 2025 National Council on Education meeting.
