Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has dismissed reports claiming that the federal government has scrapped the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) system in favor of a new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Alausa clarified that he only presented a proposal to transition to 12 years of compulsory education while maintaining the existing 6-3-3-4 structure.
He emphasized that the proposal was for discussion and not an immediate policy change.
The minister had on Thursday, during the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting in Abuja, proposed a shift to a 12-year basic education system.
However, sections of the media misinterpreted this as a policy decision to abolish JSS and SSS.
“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to misleading reports suggesting that the government has scrapped JSS and SSS,” Alausa said.
“We categorically state that this is false. The proposal seeks to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current structure.”
A key aspect of the proposal, he explained, is to eliminate external examinations between JSS and SSS, allowing for a seamless transition for students.
However, he noted that consultations and deliberations are still ongoing.
“To ensure a well-informed decision, the Ministry will engage stakeholders over the next eight months, including policymakers, state governments, teachers, and parents,” he said. “A final decision will be made at the October 2025 National Council on Education Meeting.”
Alausa urged the public to disregard reports that the JSS and SSS system had been abolished, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing education access while aligning with global best practices.
