The Federal Government intends to discontinue the practice of separating Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools. Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa stated on Tuesday that this current structural policy is a primary driver behind the high national dropout rate.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission Monitoring Committee in Abuja, Alausa revealed that over 20 million students exit the education system between primary and junior secondary levels. He attributed this to a severe lack of junior secondary infrastructure, noting an eight-to-one ratio of primary to junior secondary schools.
Alausa argued that maintaining separate facilities and leadership for the two secondary tiers has proven ineffective and costly. He plans to bring the proposal for merging these levels before the National Council on Education. This adjustment is intended to increase school enrollment and ensure students transition smoothly into senior secondary education. Furthermore, the minister inaugurated a panel headed by Prof. Rashid Aderinoye to oversee the completion and activation of specialized schools funded by the commission, addressing concerns over wasted public assets.
