Nigeria to Replace Common Entrance with Student ID System

The Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, announced plans to abolish the Junior Secondary School Common Entrance Examination during an interaction with journalists in Lagos on Saturday. This reform aims to introduce a learner identification number for primary school pupils, enabling better tracking of their academic journeys.

Alausa explained that the proposed comprehensive evaluation system would replace the current examination, allowing for continuous assessment of students' performance. The initiative seeks to address significant challenges in transitioning from primary to secondary education, as statistics reveal that out of 23 million pupils enrolled in public primary schools, only about 3 million progress to junior secondary schools.

The Minister highlighted the urgent need for state governments to build more schools to accommodate the large number of pupils, as many are unable to continue their education due to a lack of access. This reform is part of broader efforts to strengthen the education sector and improve retention rates among Nigerian children.