Education Minsiter Tunji Alausa.webp
The Digest:

The Federal Government will soon phase out the common entrance examination for pupils transitioning from primary to junior secondary school, Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa has announced. The examination will be replaced by a Continuous Assessment system that tracks a pupil's performance from primary one and remains portable if the child transfers schools. The government is also introducing a Learner Identification Number for all primary school children to monitor academic progress and improve completion rates. Additionally, the school feeding programme will be moved to the Education Ministry for better oversight.

Key Points:
  • The shift to Continuous Assessment could reduce examination anxiety for young pupils while providing a more holistic view of their academic performance.
  • Parents may no longer face the financial burden of preparing children for a single high-stakes entrance examination.
  • The Learner Identification Number will enable authorities to track student progress across schools, potentially curbing dropout rates.
  • Moving the school feeding programme to the Education Ministry could improve accountability and ensure it effectively attracts pupils to public schools.
  • The reform signals a broader policy shift toward continuous evaluation rather than one-off examinations in basic education.
As these reforms take shape, the focus will be on implementation and whether the new systems deliver the promised improvements in access, retention, and learning outcomes.

Sources: Tribune Online