FG Scraps 6-3-3-4 system of education Nationwide

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

The Federal Government (FG) has announced the scrapping of the 6-3-3-4
system of education in Nigeria, replacing it with a 12-4 model educational system.

The 6-3-3-4 model which ientails that children will spend six years in the primary school, three years in Junior secondary, three years in senior secondary and four years in the university will no longer hold.

But a 12-4r model which ientails spending 12 years from primary to secondary nonstop and 4 years in the university, which will enable Nigeria children to aspire to higher education uninterruptedly.
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This 12-4 model will enhance the educational framework and discourage dropping out of school.

The government has advised the National Council on Education to officially approved 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary education in Nigeria.

The core objective being to improve accessibility, streamline the educational process and encourage more children’s education.

This was unveiled during the 2025 extra ordinary national council on education’s meeting in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa .

According to a source, the National Council on Education is the highest policy-making body in the education sector.

Dr. Alausa said merging secondary education into basic education ensures students benefit from uninterrupted learning until the age of 16.

Alausa noted that the new policy is in line with international standard and best practices.

He said the reform will reduce dropout rates in schools by removing monetary and systemic hinderances on students’ educational pursuit

According to him, the 6-3-3-4 educational system in Nigeria was introduced in 1982, replacing the 6-5-4 system. This system was designed to provide a functional education that would enable recipients to function economically, socially, morally, intellectually, and politically. The 6-3-3-4 system is structured into four main stages:

The Primary Education (6 Years). The first six years of formal education, catering to children aged 6-12, focusing on core subjects like Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Science.

The Junior Secondary School (3 Years)*: A three-year stage bridging the transition from primary to senior secondary education, exploring various subjects, including vocational and technical courses .

The Senior Secondary School (3 Years): The final three years of secondary education, preparing students for tertiary education or the job market, specializing in chosen fields like sciences, humanities, or vocational subjects.

The Tertiary Education (4 Years): A minimum of four years of tertiary education, encompassing universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, pursuing undergraduate degrees, diplomas, or professional certifications.

Alausa however noted that these stages can be interrupted by financial aid systemic barriers hence 12-4 uninterrupted new policy of the federal government.

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