The Federal Government has announced plans to scrap the policy separating the administration of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), saying the system has failed to achieve its intended objectives.
Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, made the announcement in Abuja, explaining that the policy has created administrative bottlenecks and contributed to the growing number of students who are unable to transition from junior to senior secondary school.
According to the minister, millions of students expected to move into senior secondary school are currently unable to do so, making it necessary for the government to review the existing structure.
“The policy has not achieved its objectives. It has created unnecessary bottlenecks and contributed to the increasing number of students who do not transition from Junior Secondary School to Senior Secondary School,” he said.
Alausa directed the Federal Ministry of Education to prepare a position paper for presentation to the National Council on Education (NCE) as part of the process of reviewing and eventually scrapping the policy.
The minister also inaugurated a committee tasked with ensuring that Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools across the country become fully operational.
According to him, the committee will address implementation challenges, ensure government-funded schools are completed and properly equipped, and make sure they are adequately staffed and opened to students.
“We cannot continue to have public educational facilities lying idle. Our goal is to ensure all Smart Schools and Bilingual Schools are fully operational before the end of the year,” he added.
The proposed reform has sparked discussions among education stakeholders, with many expressing optimism that removing the separation between JSS and SSS could improve students’ transition into senior secondary education and strengthen learning outcomes nationwide.
