For millions of Nigerian children who drop out between primary and secondary school, the Federal Government says help is on the way.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, July 9, 2026 sent the National Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to the Senate, as part of plans to scrap the JSS/SSS divide that officials blame for high dropout rates.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa disclosed last week that about 20 million children are “lost” between primary and secondary school under the current 6-3-3-4 system. Under the system, pupils write placement exams after primary 6, and again after JSS 3, before entering SSS.
“These transition points have become major barriers,” the minister said, citing poverty, insecurity, rising costs and weak learning outcomes as factors forcing children out of school.”
“The proposed reform will create a continuous 12-year basic and secondary education structure, removing the exams and breaks between JSS and SSS. The goal, according to Alausa, is to ensure more children complete school before moving to university or vocational training.”
The bill, already approved by FEC and vetted by the Ministry of Justice, has been sent to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for consideration.
Stakeholders say the reform could address overcrowded classrooms, poor funding and unequal access, if passed.