The Ministry of Education on Friday said it has proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, stated this to dispel the report that the ministry was scrapping the Junior and Senior Secondary School system.
The statement said the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, merely stated that the ministry proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system, adding that reports of an immediate policy change on the matter were untrue.
He said the National Council on Education (NCE) would review the proposal before any final decision is made.
“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on 6 February 2025 in Abuja, the 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.”
