Dr. Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, clarified media reports that the federal government will end the junior and senior secondary schools, claiming he is only attempting to complete 12 years of compulsory education while preserving the current 3-3-3 system.
He claims that he has only submitted a proposal to maintain the current 6-3-3-4 structure while pursuing a requirement of 12 years of education.
At a media briefing on Friday in Abuja, the minister debunked the reports, saying he merely “presented a proposal for discussion—not an immediate policy change”.
Alausa stated: “The proposal seeks to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure. The Federal Ministry of Education has been the target of deceptive reports that claim the government has replaced the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) with a new, 12-year-uninterrupted basic education model. This is not true, as we wish to categorically state.
” At the Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) Meeting held on February 6, 2025, in Abuja, I presented a proposal for discussion—not an immediate policy change. The proposal calls for a 12-year mandatory education while maintaining the current 3-to-3 system.
The elimination of the JSS and SSS examination barrier, which would eliminate the obstacles to an external assessment at that point, is a key component of this proposal. However, this is still a subject of consultation and deliberation.
” To ensure a well-informed decision, the Ministry will undertake extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting widely with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players. The National Council on Education Meeting in October 2025 will make the final decision regarding whether or not to implement this change.
He said, “The Federal Government continues to support policies that promote quality education while adhering to international best practices.”
Persecondnews recalls that the minister had on Thursday, February 6 during the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education, a meeting of the highest policymaking body, held in Abuja, proposed a 12-year basic education model in Nigeria.
He said it was prudent to transition from the 6-3-3-4 to the 12-4 system of education.
Source: Per Second News
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