FG Has Not Scrapped 6-3-3-4 Education System – Minister of Education

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has denied reports that the Federal Government has scrapped the 6-3-3-4 education system and replaced it with a 12-year basic education model. He clarified that the new model was only a proposal presented for discussion and not an official policy change.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Alausa addressed widespread media reports claiming that the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) levels had been abolished. “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Education has been drawn to misleading reports suggesting that the Federal Government has scrapped Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) and replaced them with a new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model. We wish to categorically state that this is not true,” he said.

The minister explained that the proposal was discussed at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. He stated that the intention was to explore a model that allows students to transition smoothly from JSS to SSS without the need for external examinations at that stage. “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,” Alausa added.

He emphasized that the proposal was still at the discussion stage and had not been approved for implementation. “At the Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) Meeting held on February 6, 2025, in Abuja, I presented a proposal for discussion—not an immediate policy change. The proposal seeks to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 structure,” he clarified.

To ensure a well-informed decision, the minister stated that extensive consultations would be carried out over the next eight months. “The Ministry will undertake extensive stakeholder engagements, consulting widely with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players,” he said.

Alausa assured Nigerians that no final decision would be made until the next National Council on Education meeting scheduled for October 2025. He urged the public to disregard false reports and await official communications from the government regarding any changes to the education system.

The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing access to quality education and aligning policies with global best practices. “The Federal Government remains committed to policies that enhance access to quality education while aligning with global best practices,” he said.

Education experts and stakeholders have since reacted to the proposal, with some welcoming the idea of an uninterrupted 12-year system, while others expressed concerns over its feasibility. A secondary school teacher, Mrs. Adeola Ogunlana, noted that while the idea of eliminating the JSS-to-SSS exam barrier could reduce pressure on students, the government must ensure that it does not compromise educational standards.

Parents have also expressed mixed reactions. While some believe the reform could provide a smoother learning experience for children, others worry about the implications for tertiary education admissions and curriculum adjustments. “We need to understand how this will affect university entry requirements,” said Mr. James Akande, a concerned parent.

As consultations continue, education stakeholders will be closely monitoring the discussions and awaiting a final decision in October.