By Our Reporter
A significant shift in Nigeria’s education system is underway, according to Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa. The Federal Government is set to move away from the current 6-3-3-4 system and adopt a new 12-4 education model.
The proposal will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE), the country’s highest policy-making body, to be held in Abuja.
Under the existing 6-3-3-4 system, students undergo nine years of basic education, followed by three years of senior secondary education and four years of tertiary education. However, Alausa noted several challenges within the system, such as the financial burden on students seeking to further their education, which has prompted this policy shift.
Alausa explained that the introduction of a 12-year basic education model would provide a continuous and uninterrupted curriculum, ensuring better standardization and quality assurance across the education system. The move, he added, would align Nigeria’s educational framework with global standards and better prepare students for tertiary education, leading to improved educational outcomes and contributing to the country’s overall economic growth.
The minister also highlighted that the extraordinary NCE meeting would address other key topics, including the conversion of federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges. This change, he said, is aimed at enhancing technical education, which plays a vital role in closing the skills gap in the labor market.
Alausa further emphasized the importance of technical education in national development, noting that it is essential for effectively harnessing the nation’s human and natural resources, while driving both industrial and cultural progress.
The meeting will also discuss a proposal to revise the current 16-year age-limit policy for university admissions. Alausa expressed concerns that this policy prevents exceptionally talented students from advancing to tertiary education at an appropriate age, often delaying their personal development and potentially exacerbating mental health issues.
In her remarks, Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad highlighted the administration’s focus on improving the education system through the implementation of existing policies rather than introducing new ones. She emphasized the importance of enhancing quality, equity, and human capital development, particularly through the education of women and girls, to break the cycle of poverty.
Ahmad also underscored the administration’s commitment to fostering technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to equip young Nigerians with skills needed for self-sufficiency and economic contribution. She added that universities of agriculture would focus on mechanized farming to tackle food insecurity, while TVET programs would introduce courses in renewable energy (solar) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), offering new opportunities for young citizens to become technicians and entrepreneurs in emerging industries.