The Digest:
The Federal Government has raised the minimum age for students seeking admission into Junior Secondary Schools (JSS1) to 12 years, effective from the upcoming academic year. This policy, launched under the Non-State Schools framework, aims to ensure that children complete six years of primary education before advancing to secondary school.
- The Federal Ministry of Education has set 12 years as the minimum age for admission to JSS1.
- The new policy applies to Non-State Schools (private/independent schools).
- Children are to enter Primary One at the age of six.
- Policy implies learners would be 18 years old before higher institutions.
- Controversies have recently arisen over the minimum age requirement for tertiary institutions.
- Non-state schools outnumber state schools at the JSS level in 26 states.
- The growth of non-state schools is faster than that of state schools (31.56% vs. 3.3% primary).
Sources: The Punch
The new policy aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve education quality and ensure that students start secondary education at a suitable age, especially within non-state schools.
