FG moves to scrap JSS–SSS separation over rising dropout rate

The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), citing its failure to improve access to education and its contribution to the rising number of out-of-school children.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee.

Alausa said government data indicate that more than 20 million pupils who completed primary education were unable to transition to junior secondary school due to inadequate infrastructure and the current disarticulation policy.

According to him, Nigeria has about 80,000 public primary schools but only approximately 15,000 junior secondary schools, creating a significant gap in access to basic education.

“We have over 20 million pupils dropping out between primary school and JSS. We have 80,000 public primary schools but only about 15,000 junior secondary schools.
“Government has not done enough in this regard, but this administration is determined to fix the problem,” he said.

The minister noted that the separation of junior and senior secondary schools into different administrative units has led to overcrowding in JSS and underutilisation of SSS facilities in several states.

“We have seen this in Kaduna and other northern states, where one principal manages the JSS and another manages the SSS. The JSS is overcrowded while the senior secondary school remains underutilised.

“I can confidently say that the disarticulation policy has failed. We will phase it out because we cannot continue creating administrative positions at the expense of our children’s education,” Alausa added.
He further stated that the proposal would be presented at the next meeting of the National Council on Education for consideration and possible adoption.