Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Federal Government has unveiled a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s education system, replacing the existing 6-3-3-4 structure with a compulsory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model that eliminates the distinction between Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS).
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Abuja.
According to the minister, the reform is aimed at expanding access to education, reducing the number of out-of-school children, and ensuring that every Nigerian child completes 12 years of continuous, quality basic education before advancing to tertiary education or vocational training.
Alausa said the new framework removes the transition between junior and senior secondary education, a stage he noted has contributed significantly to student dropout rates over the years.
He added that the uninterrupted 12-year model is expected to provide a smoother learning pathway, strengthen foundational and vocational competencies, improve student retention, and enhance overall learning outcomes nationwide.
The reform also seeks to standardise curriculum delivery, enhance education quality, and better align Nigeria’s school system with global best practices.
The 6-3-3-4 education system, introduced in 1982, comprises six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary school, three years of senior secondary school, and a minimum of four years of tertiary education. Under the proposed reform, the distinction between junior and senior secondary education will be removed, creating a unified 12-year continuous basic education programme.
The Federal Government said the transition to the new system will require comprehensive curriculum reforms, teacher capacity development, adjustments to school administration, and close collaboration with state governments and other key stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.
The reform is expected to be closely watched by education stakeholders across the country, as the government projects it will improve learning outcomes, increase school retention, and broaden access to quality education for millions of Nigerian children.
