FG to scrap JSS/SSS structure over 20m dropouts

Nigeria's Federal Government announced plans to abolish the policy separating junior secondary schools (JSS) from senior secondary schools (SSS). This decision comes after revealing that more than 20 million pupils drop out before reaching senior secondary education. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the policy, established in 1982 as part of the National Policy on Education (6-3-3-4 system), has not only failed to achieve its objective but has also exacerbated access to education nationwide.

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We have 20 million dropouts from primary school to junior secondary school. Where are those students? We also found we have 80,000 public primary schools and only about 15,000 junior secondary schools. That’s a one-to-eight ratio.

Alausa explained that evidence shows a significant gap between the number of primary schools and junior secondary schools, with approximately 80,000 public primary schools compared to only 15,000 junior secondary schools. This disparity creates a one-to-eight ratio, leading to severe overcrowding in JSS while many SSS remain underutilized. "This disarticulation policy has failed. We will phase it out," Alausa declared, emphasizing that the decision prioritizes the best interests of Nigerian children over administrative positions.

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This disarticulation policy has failed. We will phase it out. We can’t create positions because we want to create a director-level position for people while we harm our education system. It’s about doing what is best for every Nigerian child.

The proposal to scrap the JSS/SSS structure will be presented for approval at the next National Council on Education meeting. This reform is part of broader efforts to enhance educational access and improve learning outcomes. The minister also raised concerns about Nigeria's "learning poverty," noting that about three out of every four children at the basic education level cannot read and comprehend an age-appropriate text by the age of 10. "Learning poverty means that by the age of 10, a child cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text. In Nigeria today, three out of every four children are learning poor. That is simply unacceptable," Alausa stated.

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Learning poverty means that by the age of 10, a child cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text. In Nigeria today, three out of every four children are learning poor. That is simply unacceptable.

Alausa stressed the urgent need to transform teaching and learning through digital technology, stating, "We don’t have a choice. We have to use technology. It is no longer feasible to continue to do things manually." He assured that the government is committed to fixing the system, declaring, "This government will not fail."

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We don’t have a choice. We have to use technology. It is no longer feasible to continue to do things manually.