Why Merging JSS and SSS into One Six-Year Track Could Backfire

Reactions are building after the Education Minister proposed merging junior and senior secondary schools into a single six-year programme. He argues this will streamline progression, but critics warn of major administrative and structural challenges. Separating JSS and SSS under distinct leadership helps maintain focused supervision, clearer career pathways for principals, and manageable student-teacher ratios. Merging these tiers could create jurisdictional overlaps between federal and state education bodies, diluting accountability and demotivating staff. Nigeria’s real challenge lies in teacher shortages, long delays in exam feedback, and growing dropout rates due to economic hardship, insecurity, and insufficient school infrastructure. With 80,000 primary schools feeding just 15,000 secondary schools, many pupils have nowhere to go. Instead of overhauling the 6-3-3-4 system, the government should fill teaching vacancies, improve classroom quality, demand timely exam reports, build more schools, and align education with job creation. Only by addressing these core issues can the system truly improve.

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