BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU
THE proposal by the Federal Government to abolish the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) system and replace it with a 12-year compulsory basic education has sparked mixed reactions from parents, teachers, and students across the country.
The proposed policy, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted education for all children up to the age of 18, mandates a single continuous structure without the traditional division between primary, junior, and senior secondary levels.
According to the Minister of Education Mr. Tunji Alausa, the policy is designed to ensure that every child completes a full cycle of basic education without unnecessary breaks. The Ministry of Education has assured that a new curriculum and guidelines will be introduced to align with international best practices.
While some stakeholders have praised the proposed move as a step towards improving literacy and reducing dropout rates, others have expressed concerns about implementation challenges and potential disruptions to the current system.
Speaking to our correspondent in Delta State, Mrs. Elizabeth welcomed the initiative, noting that compulsory education up to 18 years is a good idea that could help reduce child labour and early marriages, particularly in rural areas.
However, Mr. Chuks Obum expressed concerns about the financial implications and whether the government would provide adequate resources to sustain the system.
“If the government can fully fund it and make sure all children have access to quality education, then it’s a great idea. But if it becomes another failed policy, it may create more confusion,” he said.
Similarly, Mr. Peter Chukwugozie voiced fears about the scrapping of JSS and SSS, warning that the new structure could affect the quality of education.
Teachers have also raised concerns about how the new system will be implemented, particularly in terms of curriculum changes, teacher training, and infrastructure.
Mrs. Rita Chibuike, a secondary school teacher, questioned the government’s preparedness, saying:“We don’t have enough classrooms or teachers to handle the current system. How does the government plan to accommodate this extended structure without adequate funding?”
Mr. Henry Ezekiel, a secondary school teacher in Ibusa, also expressed concerns that merging secondary school levels into one continuous program might lead to confusion in student assessment and certification processes.
Students, too, have reacted with mixed feelings. Miss Isioma Nduka questioned how the change would affect national examinations.
“I don’t really understand how this will work. Does it mean we won’t have SSCE or WAEC anymore? “she asked. While Miss Mariam, an SS2 student, expressed concerns about how the initiative would impact their graduation timeline and university admissions.
