‘Education minister only proposes 12-4 basic education system’ – Ministry dismisses reports on scrapping JSS, SSS
The Ministry of Education on Friday clarified that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, merely proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system, saying reports of an immediate policy change on the matter were untrue.
Several media outlets (not The Informant247) had suggested that a new policy aimed at scrapping the Junior and Senior Secondary School system was already in effect.
However, in a statement by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry emphasised that the National Council on Education 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 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.
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“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 Informant247 reports that in a bid to align Nigeria’s education framework with global standards, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa had proposed a shift from nation’s current 9-3-4 education system to a 12-4 model.
Alausa, while speaking at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting in Abuja, emphasized that the proposed change would better prepare students for tertiary education and enhance educational outcomes.
He said, “A 12-year basic education model will ensure a continuous, uninterrupted curriculum, promoting better standardization and fostering quality assurance in the education system.”
He added that this model would provide students with a more comprehensive learning experience, contributing to the nation’s economic development.
Source: PUNCH
