The Federal Government has announced that students must now be at least 12 years old to gain admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1). This new rule, part of a recently released education policy, requires children to complete six years of primary education before moving to JSS1.
The policy, developed by the Federal Ministry of Education, applies to private and non-government schools, which rely on fees, donations, and community support. These institutions play a significant role in Nigeria’s education system, though standards vary widely.
According to the guidelines, early education will follow a structured timeline:
- Nursery School: Three years, starting at age three (Nursery One) and progressing yearly.
- Pre-Primary (Kindergarten): One compulsory year at age five.
For basic education:
- Primary School: Six years, beginning at age six.
- Junior Secondary School (JSS): Three years, starting at age 12 after primary education.
This means students should finish secondary school around age 18. However, the current Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently lowered the university entry age to 16, reversing the previous 18-year minimum set by former Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman.
The policy also highlights the rapid growth of private schools, which now outnumber government schools at the JSS level in 26 states. Between 2017 and 2022, private primary schools grew by 31.56%, while JSS-level private schools increased by 35.06%. In contrast, government schools saw much slower growth.
The Ministry stated that the new rules aim to standardize school transitions and ensure students progress at the right age. Education stakeholders are encouraged to follow the policy to maintain uniformity across Nigeria’s school system.
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