The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified a recent proposal which seeks to introduce a 12-year basic education system, against the current 6-3-3 structure.
According to the ministry, the proposal presented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, at the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting on February 6, 2025, in Abuja, was merely a discussion point and not an immediate policy change.
The proposal seeks to eliminate the examination barrier between Junior and Senior Secondary School (JSS and SSS) levels. This would allow students to progress seamlessly without external assessments at that stage.
However, the ministry has emphasized that this proposal is still subject to further consultation and deliberation.
The statement on Friday said, “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.”