The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, has unveiled a new policy mandating that only pupils who are at least 12 years old will be eligible to gain admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1). This directive applies primarily to Non-State Schools, commonly referred to as private schools, and forms part of broader reforms to standardize age-appropriate learning in Nigeria’s education system.

According to the policy document obtained by The PUNCH, the entry framework now aligns with the structure of basic education in Nigeria, which consists of six years of primary education followed by three years of Junior Secondary School. Children are to be admitted into Primary One at the age of six, and must complete the full six years before transitioning to junior secondary school—at around the age of 12.

The policy also revisits the timeline for early childhood education. It stipulates that nursery education will last for three years, with children admitted into Nursery One at age three, Nursery Two at four, and a compulsory pre-primary class (Kindergarten) at age five. These guidelines conform with Section 2(17) of the National Policy on Education (2013 Edition), reinforcing the structured pathway from nursery to secondary education.

The Ministry emphasized that this age-based model is intended to improve learning outcomes by ensuring pupils reach critical cognitive development stages before advancing academically. If fully implemented, the policy suggests that students will likely be around 18 years old by the time they become eligible for entry into tertiary institutions, a significant adjustment amid growing debates around age requirements for higher education in the country.

Non-State Schools—educational institutions not managed by the government—have become increasingly influential in Nigeria’s learning landscape. Data from the Nigeria Education Digest 2022 reveals that these schools now outnumber state-owned schools in at least 26 states at the Junior Secondary level. At the primary level, state schools outnumber Non-State Schools in only 19 states.

Furthermore, the report shows a significant growth rate among Non-State Schools in recent years. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of private primary schools rose by 31.56 percent, compared to a modest 3.3 percent increase in state-owned primary schools. Similarly, at the Junior Secondary level, private schools grew by 35.06 percent, while state schools experienced just a 6.8 percent growth during the same period.

This policy is likely to affect millions of pupils currently enrolled in or preparing for transition within private schools. Education stakeholders are expected to engage further with the Ministry to ensure seamless implementation and public awareness of the new age guidelines.