FG To Phase Out JSS, SSS Separation Over Rising School Dropout Rate

ABUJA — The Federal Government has announced plans to phase out the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), describing the arrangement as a failure that has contributed to Nigeria’s growing out-of-school children crisis.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made the announcement on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Abuja.

According to the minister, government data shows that while Nigeria has about 80,000 public primary schools, there are only about 15,000 junior secondary schools, creating a major transition gap. He said more than 20 million pupils who enrolled in primary school failed to progress to senior secondary education.

Alausa said the current “disarticulation policy,” which requires JSS and SSS to operate separately with different principals and facilities, has resulted in overcrowded junior secondary schools while many senior secondary schools remain underutilised.

He disclosed that the Federal Government will present a proposal to abolish the policy at the next meeting of the National Council on Education as part of broader reforms aimed at improving access to education and reducing school dropout rates.

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The minister also inaugurated a committee to oversee the completion and operationalisation of UBEC-funded Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools across the country, saying many of the projects have remained unfinished or are yet to admit learners despite significant public investment.