The Federal Government has officially announced the scrapping of the Junior and Senior Secondary School system. The Education Ministry is replacing the 6-3-3-4 structure with a 12-year uninterrupted basic education model before tertiary education.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known on Thursday at the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting in Abuja.

Alausa mentioned that there are plans to set 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions.

This move aims to reduce dropout rates, eliminate financial barriers, and equip students with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring Nigeria’s education system aligns with global standards.

The government has outlined strategies for the implementation of the new system including policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training, and curriculum enhancement.

This has generated reactions from Nigerians.

@maniac8989: For those who need clarity it used to be the 6-3-3-4 system now it’s 12-4

6 - Primary 1-6
3 - JSS 1-3
3- SSS 1-3
4- University

Now it’s from “Primary + secondary School” for 12 years to University straight.

@madu_uwa: With this new policy, I suspect that external entrance examination into senior secondary class will be eliminated.

@Ishow_leck: It’s not about scrapping JSS and SSS, what are they investing in the educational system. Whata their plan to improve the education system and the teachers. All of these things have no meaning if the sector is not improved.

@Chiddyblaze: No much difference from the previous pattern.
And people will still stop half way if the educational system is not improved and made affordable

@Generalprime1: when and where is this being implemented?... and what do they mean by uninterrupted basic education?...and how effective will this new implementation be?... will it also reach the nooks and crannies of the lowest parts of nigeria?... will children of the average nigerian who initially barely couldn't afford government public schools benefit from this?...

@Balatic: How do you begin to implement this? You’ll merge primary schools & secondary schools? Just messing things up!

Leave education alone. Go to power sector and give us 24-hr power. Go to water sector & ensure water is running in every home. Go to rail sector. Etc. Leave education!

@_UTD24: So those buildings for JSS & SSS will be converted to what?
Did the federal government discuss these private school owners?
In Nigeria, the most basic schools sectorise are the dirtiest, abandoned, nonsense classes with lazy teachers, what measures has the federal government put in place?
Many questions dey to ask