The Federal Government has announced plans to phase out the separation between Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) as part of efforts to improve access to secondary education and reduce student dropouts.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that more than 20 million students fail to transition from JSS to SSS, preventing them from completing their secondary education.

According to the minister, the proposed reform is aimed at creating a more seamless progression through the secondary education system and ensuring that more students remain in school until graduation.

He said the government is concerned about the high number of learners who discontinue their education after completing junior secondary school, a trend that has implications for human capital development and national productivity.

To advance the proposal, the minister directed relevant officials in the Federal Ministry of Education to prepare a position paper for presentation to the National Council on Education (NCE), which is expected to consider the policy change.

The Federal Government believes the reform could help improve retention rates, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen the overall quality of the country’s education system.

The proposal is expected to be discussed with key stakeholders before any final decision is taken on its implementation.