Education Ministry Clarifies Proposed 12-Year Basic Education System
The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, only proposed the introduction of a 12-year basic education system, and no immediate policy change has been implemented.
In response to reports suggesting that the Junior and Senior Secondary School system had been scrapped, the ministry emphasized that the proposal remains under review and has not been officially adopted.
A statement issued by the Director of Press at the Ministry, Folasade Boriowo, explained that the proposal was presented at the Extraordinary National Council on Education Meeting held on February 6, 2025, in Abuja. However, any potential reform must first undergo thorough evaluation.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, introduced the proposal for discussion—not as an immediate policy shift. The initiative aims to establish 12 years of compulsory education while maintaining the current 6-3-3 structure,” the statement read.
A key feature of the proposal is the removal of the examination barrier between Junior and Senior Secondary School, allowing students to transition seamlessly without external assessments at that stage. However, the ministry stressed that this idea remains subject to further consultations.
To ensure a well-informed decision, the ministry announced plans for an extensive eight-month stakeholder engagement process, involving education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players. A final decision is expected to be made at the National Council on Education meeting in October 2025.
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