The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked reports suggesting that the Junior and Senior Secondary School system has been scrapped, clarifying that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, only proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education framework, which is still under review.
In a statement released on Friday, the ministry’s Director of Press, Folasade Boriowo, dismissed claims that an immediate policy change had been made, urging the public to disregard misleading reports.
According to the ministry, the minister’s proposal was discussed at the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held in Abuja on February 6, 2025, but no decision has been finalized.
The proposal aims to introduce a seamless 12-year compulsory education system, eliminating the examination barrier between Junior and Senior Secondary School.
This would allow students to progress without undergoing external assessments at that stage. However, the ministry emphasized that this remains a proposal subject to further review and consultation.
To ensure a well-informed decision, the government will conduct extensive consultations with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key stakeholders over the next eight months.
A final decision on whether to implement the reform will be taken at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025.
The ministry reassured the public that the existing 6-3-3 education system remains in place, cautioning against misinformation that suggests the Junior and Senior Secondary School structure has been abolished.
It reiterated the government’s commitment to policies that improve access to quality education while aligning with international best practices.