FG Introduces Learner ID Numbers to Boost School Enrollment

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a learner identification number for students at the primary school level, as announced by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos. This initiative is designed to track academic progress and encourage school enrollment.

The government is also working on phasing in a common entrance examination for pupils transitioning from primary to junior secondary school. Efforts are being made to revive the Homegrown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) to attract more pupils to public schools.

Currently, there are about 50,000 public primary schools in Nigeria with approximately 23 million pupils; however, only about 3 million of these pupils transition to junior secondary schools. The government acknowledges that around 20 million pupils are not enrolled in public secondary schools, primarily due to a lack of access.

The introduction of the learner identification number will ensure that each child has a unique identifier, allowing for continuous assessment and tracking of their educational journey.