The Federal Government has set 12 years as the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School (JSS) in Nigeria.
This was contained in a new policy document on Non-State Schools released last week by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The document underscores the significant role of private schools in education delivery, while also calling for stricter regulation to ensure quality and compliance across the board.
The policy is part of broader reforms aimed at standardising the structure and quality of education in private institutions nationwide.
It mandates that children must complete six years of primary education, starting at age six, before progressing to junior secondary school.
In addition, nursery education in private schools will now follow a clearly defined three-year structure: Nursery One at age 3, Nursery Two at age 4, and one year of pre-primary education (Kindergarten) at age 5.
“This structure aligns with Section 2(17) of the 2013 National Policy on Education, which outlines appropriate age progression in the Nigerian education system.
“Following this sequence ensures that a child completes basic education—six years of primary and three years of junior secondary—in a developmentally appropriate manner,” the policy states.
Minister of Education, Prof. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said the new guidelines were introduced to curb premature transitions in the school system, which often undermine academic performance and social development.
He stressed that private schools must adhere strictly to the policy, ensuring that learners are emotionally and cognitively prepared for each stage of their educational journey.
