FG to Abolish JSS-SSS Separation Policy for Education

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to abolish the separation policy between Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), as stated by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) monitoring committee in Abuja.

This decision comes in response to data indicating that 20 million pupils who completed primary education are unable to transition to junior secondary school due to inadequate infrastructure and the current disarticulated policy. There are approximately 80,000 public primary schools and 15,000 junior secondary schools in Nigeria, creating a significant gap in educational access, with many pupils dropping out after primary school.

The minister criticized the current administrative structure, which has led to overcrowded junior secondary schools and underutilized senior secondary schools, particularly in states like Kaduna. Dr.

Alausa emphasized that the separation policy has failed and cannot continue, proposing that the matter be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting for consideration.