Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa says the National Council on Education (NCE) will decide on its proposed adoption of a 12-year basic school model in October 2025.
In a statement on Friday, Folasade Boriowo, the director of press at the education ministry, quoted the minister as refuting reports that the federal government has already scrapped secondary education as part of the policy.
TheNewsMatrics had reported that the education ministry was considering a 12-year basic education model in a reform that could eliminate the traditional distinction between primary and secondary levels.
Alausa affirmed that he only presented a proposal for discussion and not an immediate policy change at the NEC meeting on February 6.
He said the proposal seeks to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3-4 education structure.
The minister said a key aspect of this proposal is to eliminate the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, allowing for a seamless transition of students without the hurdles of an external assessment at that stage.
He added that this suggestion was still a subject of consultation and deliberation.
“To ensure a well-informed decision, the ministry will undertake extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting widely with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players,” Alausa said.
“The final decision on whether to adopt this reform will be made at the October 2025 NEC meeting,” he said.
Alausa urged the public to disregard the false claim that junior and senior secondary schools have been scrapped.
He said the federal government is committed to policies that enhance access to quality education while aligning with global best practices.
