The Ministry of Education confirmed on Friday that Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, only advocated the implementation of a 12-year basic education system.
The ministry indicated that reports of an instant policy shift on the case were false.
Several media sites reported that a new policy aimed at eliminating the Junior and Senior Secondary School systems was already in place.
The Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, stated that the National Council on Education would evaluate the idea before making a final decision.
“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held in Abuja on February 6, 2025, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, submitted a proposal for discussion rather than an immediate policy change. The idea calls for 12 years of compulsory schooling while preserving the current 6-3-3 framework.
“A fundamental component of this idea is to remove the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, allowing pupils to progress seamlessly without requiring external examinations at that point. However, this is still open to more consultation and consideration.
“To make an educated conclusion, the ministry will confer with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other important stakeholders over the next eight months. The ultimate decision on whether to implement this reform will be made at the National Council on Education’s meeting in October 2025.
“The ministry urges the public to disregard false claims that the JSS and SSS have been abolished. The federal government remains dedicated to initiatives that improve access to quality education while adhering to global best practices.
