The Federal Ministry of Education has categorically denied recent reports suggesting the scrapping of Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) structures in Nigeria. In a statement released today, the ministry clarified that no such policy has been enacted or is currently under immediate implementation.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, addressed the media in Abuja, emphasizing that the confusion arose from a proposal discussed at the Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting held on February 6, 2025. According to Dr. Alausa, the proposal was merely for discussion and not a definitive policy change.
“The proposal seeks to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure,” Alausa explained. He further elaborated that a key aspect of the proposal is to eliminate the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, thereby allowing for a seamless transition for students without the stress of an external assessment at that stage. However, he stressed, “This is still a subject of consultation and deliberation.”
The Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, also issued a statement urging the public to disregard the false claims. “We wish to categorically state that this is not true,” Boriowo said, addressing the misleading reports. She added that the Ministry remains committed to enhancing access to quality education in alignment with global best practices.
The Ministry’s response has been to underline the government’s dedication to educational reform but within the existing framework. The proposal, if pursued, would require extensive stakeholder engagement, including consultations with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players. The final decision on whether to adopt this reform would be made at the October 2025 National Council on Education Meeting.
This clarification comes as a relief to many educators, students, and parents who were concerned about the structure of secondary education in Nigeria. It also opens up a dialogue on how best to improve the educational system without disrupting the current educational stages that students are familiar with.
As the conversation on educational reform continues, the Ministry of Education has promised to keep the public informed of any developments, ensuring that any changes made would be in the best interest of the nation’s youth and future.
The Federal Ministry of Education is responsible for overseeing the education sector in Nigeria, including policy formulation, curriculum development, and the overall administration of educational institutions across the country. It works towards providing quality education to all Nigerians, ensuring educational standards are met, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
