By Daniel Peters
The Federal Government has announced a major overhaul of Nigeria’s education system, abolishing the separation between Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) and replacing the 6-3-3-4 structure with a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the reform is aimed at improving access to education, reducing the number of out-of-school children, and ensuring that every Nigerian child receives 12 years of continuous, quality education before progressing to tertiary institutions or vocational training.
Alausa said the new model is designed to eliminate the transition barriers between junior and senior secondary education, which have contributed to high dropout rates among students.
He explained that the uninterrupted 12-year system would provide a more seamless learning experience, strengthen foundational and vocational skills, and improve student retention across the country.
The reform also seeks to standardise curriculum delivery, enhance education quality, and better align Nigeria’s school system with global best practices.
The 6-3-3-4 system, introduced in 1982, consists of six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary school, three years of senior secondary school, and four years of tertiary education. Under the new arrangement, the JSS and SSS divisions will be merged into a single 12-year basic education programme.
The Federal Government said implementation of the policy will involve curriculum reforms, teacher training, adjustments to school administration, and collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders.
Education stakeholders are expected to closely monitor the rollout of the reform, which the government believes will improve educational outcomes and expand opportunities for millions of Nigerian children.
