Education stakeholders have welcomed the Federal Government’s proposal to phase out the separation between Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School.
They, however, urged the government to ensure proper planning, adequate funding and a uniform curriculum before implementing the reform.
The stakeholders spoke in separate interviews in Abuja while reacting to the proposed restructuring of Nigeria’s secondary education system.
They said the plan could improve learning outcomes and reduce barriers that often affect students moving from JSS to SSS.
The Federal Government’s proposal is aimed at creating a smoother academic progression for learners and improving school retention across the country.
Mrs Esther Aderomose, Proprietress of Saint Philip Schools, described the proposal as a positive step.
She said the current separation between JSS and SSS had created avoidable delays, especially in examinations and school administration.
According to her, merging both levels into a more seamless structure could reduce waste, simplify learning and make the system more efficient.
Aderomose said the reform would only succeed if the government first puts the right structures in place.
She said a complete and uniform curriculum must be developed to guide schools across the country.
The school owner added that inconsistencies in the current curriculum had affected teaching quality and student performance.
She urged the government to provide the necessary support, training and resources to prevent confusion during implementation.
Mr Idris Alhassan, Principal of Zinaria International School, said education policies should be reviewed regularly to determine whether they are achieving their objectives.
He said merging JSS and SSS under one structure could help remove some loopholes in the current system.
Alhassan, however, warned that student assessment must not be ignored under the proposed arrangement.
According to him, allowing students to move from JSS1 to SSS3 without periodic evaluation could create academic pressure and weaken learning discipline.
He said today’s students face many distractions, especially from social media, making continuous assessment even more important.
Alhassan recommended phased assessments whose results could be combined at the end of secondary education.
He said such a system would allow schools to monitor progress while still supporting the aim of a seamless secondary school structure.
The Proprietor of High Grade International School, Mr Charles Umekwe, said the success of the reform should be measured by its benefits to learners, not merely by administrative changes.
Umekwe urged the government to address deeper problems in the education sector before introducing another major reform.
He listed poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, shortage of qualified teachers and weak accountability as issues that must be tackled.
According to him, Nigeria’s education system remains too focused on certificates rather than practical skills, entrepreneurship and employability.
He called for renewed investment in technical, vocational and commercial education.
Umekwe said secondary school graduates should leave school with useful skills that can help them earn a living, even when white-collar jobs are not available.
He also advocated stronger collaboration between schools and industries to expose students to practical training and real workplace experience.
According to him, any serious education reform should include workshops, modern equipment, skilled instructors and partnerships with relevant industries.
Umekwe said the proposed JSS and SSS reform would be useful if it is backed by proper planning, curriculum review, adequate funding and gradual implementation.
He added that the ultimate goal should be to produce secondary school graduates who are academically sound, practically skilled and capable of becoming self-reliant.
The stakeholders agreed that the proposed reform could help Nigeria’s education system if implemented with caution, consultation and clear policy direction.
They urged the Federal Government to work with states, school owners, teachers, parents, students and industry players before rolling out the policy nationwide.
