The Federal Ministry of Education has denied claims that the Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS and SSS) system has been scrapped. The ministry clarified that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, only proposed a shift to a 12-year compulsory education system, not an immediate policy change.
There had been widespread speculation in the media that a new education policy had already taken effect, eliminating the current secondary school structure. However, the ministry has stated that such reports are inaccurate.
In an official statement released by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry noted that the proposal is still in the discussion stage. It will require approval from the National Council on Education before any changes are made.
“At the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on 6 February 2025 in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, presented a proposal for discussion — not an immediate policy change. The proposal seeks to transition to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure.
“A key aspect of this proposal is to eliminate the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, allowing students to progress seamlessly without external assessments at that stage. However, this remains subject to further consultation and deliberation.
“To ensure a well-informed decision, the ministry will undertake extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players. The final decision on whether to adopt this reform will be made at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025.
“The ministry urges the public to disregard false claims that JSS and SSS have been scrapped. The Federal Government remains committed to policies that enhance access to quality education while aligning with global best practices.”
