FG moves to replace 6-3-3-4 System with 12-Year Continuous Basic Education Model
FG moves to replace 6-3-3-4 System Education Model represents a massive shift in Nigeria’s academic landscape as the Federal Government moves to scrap the long-standing 6-3-3-4 system.
This structural overhaul, announced by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, aims to merge primary and secondary tiers into a single, uninterrupted educational journey.
By removing the administrative break between junior and senior secondary levels, the government intends to fix severe infrastructural imbalances and drastically reduce student dropouts nationwide.
FG moves to replace 6-3-3-4 System Education Model system in favour of a 12-year uninterrupted basic education model aimed at reducing school dropouts and improving access to secondary education.
FG moves to replace 6-3-3-4 System Education Model, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the inauguration of the UBEC Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Abuja.
According to the minister, the current structure, which separates Junior Secondary School (JSS) from Senior Secondary School (SSS), has failed to achieve its intended goals. He revealed that over 20 million pupils drop out before reaching the senior secondary level, partly due to the shortage of junior secondary schools across the country.
Alausa noted that while Nigeria has about 80,000 public primary schools, there are only about 15,000 junior secondary schools, creating a major imbalance that contributes to overcrowding and limited access to education.
He stated that the proposal to phase out the existing arrangement and adopt a 12-year continuous basic education model will be presented at the next meeting of the National Council on Education for consideration.
FG moves to replace 6-3-3-4 System Education Model, The minister said the reform is designed to improve transition rates, expand access to education, and ensure more children remain in school through the secondary level.
At the event, Alausa also inaugurated a committee led by Prof. Rashid Aderinoye to oversee the completion and operation of UBEC-funded Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools, and Alternative Schools across the country.
He expressed concern that many of the schools built with public funds are yet to be completed or opened for learning, stressing the need to ensure such projects are fully operational and accessible to students.
FG moves to replace 6-3-3-4 System Education Model, The Federal Government believes the proposed reforms will help address the country’s out-of-school children crisis and strengthen the overall basic education system.
Final Thought
FG moves to replace 6-3-3-4 System Education Model could be the definitive solution Nigeria needs to tackle its out-of-school children crisis and improve school transition rates. While building new infrastructure and completing stalled Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) projects remain critical operational hurdles, this policy pivot shows a strong commitment to educational equity. If approved by the National Council on Education, this structural reform will fundamentally redefine learning and keep millions of Nigerian children in the classroom.
