Education Ministry dismisses reported scrapping of JSS, SSS as untrue

Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, only suggested implementing a 12-year basic education program, the Ministry of Education confirmed on Friday.

According to the ministry, there was no instant policy change on the subject, despite widespread reports to the contrary.

According to media reports, a new policy that would do away with the Junior and Senior Secondary School system was already in place.

The Federal Ministry of Education highlighted in a statement issued by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press, that the National Council on Education would examine the proposal prior to making a final decision.

“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.

“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.”