The Nigerian Government has scrapped the Junior and Senior Secondary School, JSS, SSS, model from its school system, and introduced a 12-year basic education model......CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>.....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa unveiled the reforms Thursday, during an extraordinary session at the National Council on Education, NCE, meeting in Abuja.
Alausa said under the new policy, students will complete this unified cycle before pursuing higher education.
The new policy replaces the longstanding 6-3-3-4 system with a streamlined 12-4 structure.
The government has also proposed raising the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions to 16, pending approval from the National Council on Education, NCE, the apex policymaking body for the sector.
Alausa emphasized that integrating secondary education into the basic education framework ensures uninterrupted learning until age 16, aligning Nigeria with global standards.
“This model guarantees a standardized national curriculum and early vocational training, equipping students for academia or the workforce,” he stated.
The minister highlighted anticipated benefits, including reduced dropout rates through minimized financial and bureaucratic hurdles, as well as curbing child labor and youth unemployment linked to incomplete schooling.
“Developed nations employ similar 12-year foundational systems,” Alausa noted, stressing that the overhaul aims to boost Nigeria’s educational competitiveness. “Extended compulsory learning fosters skilled graduates, driving national development.”
The reforms mark Nigeria’s most significant educational restructuring in decades, prioritizing equitable access and holistic skill development to meet 21st-century demands.