The Federal Government has officially set the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School (JSS1) at 12 years, as part of a new policy framework on non-state schools launched last week by the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to Punch, this policy, contained in a newly released document on non-state (private) schools, seeks to standardise the age of entry across nursery, primary, and secondary education in the country.
Non-state schools, commonly known as private or independent schools, are institutions not managed by the government and are largely funded through tuition fees, community donations, religious organisations, and private foundations.
Despite their rapid expansion and role in education delivery, the Ministry noted inconsistencies in their curriculum implementation and entry age, prompting the need for a policy reset.
The document emphasised that private schools now play a “major role in education provision in the country,” but warned that their varying standards must be aligned with the National Policy on Education (NPE).
Clarifying the age progression, the ministry said, “Nursery education shall be of three years’ duration. Children shall be admitted into Nursery One when they attain the age of three years, Nursery Two at four, and a compulsory one-year pre-primary (Kindergarten) at five years, in accordance with Section 2(17) of the NPE, 2013 Edition.”
According to the policy, the Basic Education structure remains at nine years, comprising six years of primary education and three years of junior secondary schooling.
“Children shall be admitted into Primary One when they attain the age of six years. Every child must complete six years of primary education. They shall be admitted into Junior Secondary School (JSS1) when they have completed six years of primary education, at around the age of twelve (12) years,” the document stated.
By implication, learners who follow the new age-based progression will graduate secondary school at 18, making that the new benchmark for eligibility into higher institutions across Nigeria.