The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, only proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system and that no immediate policy change has been implemented.
In response to reports suggesting the scrapping of the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS/SSS) system, the ministry, through its Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, emphasized that the proposal is still under review by the National Council on Education.
“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on February 6, 2025, in Abuja, the Honourable Minister presented a proposal for discussion — not an immediate policy change,” the statement read.
The proposed reform seeks to introduce 12 years of compulsory education while maintaining the existing 6-3-3 structure. A significant aspect of the plan is to remove the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, allowing students to transition seamlessly without external assessments at that stage.
The ministry assured that extensive stakeholder consultations, including discussions with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, and parents, will take place over the next eight months. A final decision on the proposal will be made at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025.
