FG extends compulsory education to SS3 to reduce dropout rate – Minister

The Federal Government has announced the extension of compulsory education from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary 3 (SS3), also referred to as Year 1 to Year 12, as part of efforts to curb the dropout rate and tackle the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during an Extraordinary National Council of Education (NCE) Meeting attended by federal education agency heads, state education commissioners, and development partners.

Alausa clarified that the policy does not eliminate the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS/SSS) structure but ensures that all students complete 12 years of schooling before exiting the education system. He emphasized that this approach would equip students with essential knowledge and life skills, preventing learning setbacks caused by early dropouts.

At the meeting, several key education policies were reviewed and approved, including:

• National Language Policy
• National Policy on Education
• Nigeria’s First Anti-Bullying Policy
• Repositioning of Federal Science & Technology Colleges (FSTCs) to Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs)
• Reversal of the 16-year age requirement for tertiary education enrollment

According to the Minister, the government is developing a National Policy on Almajiri Education, which was presented to the Council by Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed.

The Minister also dismissed misinformation circulating online, reaffirming that the new policy is part of a broader strategy to overhaul the education sector and ensure quality learning for all Nigerian children.

This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s “Better Education for All” agenda. Alausa expressed confidence that these reforms would significantly enhance educational and career opportunities for Nigerian youth.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor of Kano State and state education commissioners, who pledged their support for the government’s vision to strengthen the education system.