Children’s Learning Matters More Than School Structure, Private School Owners Tell FG
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has urged the Federal Government to ensure that any changes to Nigeria’s secondary education system put children’s learning, safety and wellbeing first.
The association was reacting to the Federal Government’s proposal to replace the current Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) structure with a continuous six-year secondary education model.
While supporting efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, NAPPS said changing the school structure alone would not keep more children in classrooms unless the real reasons children leave school are addressed.
According to the association, poverty, insecurity, child labour, early marriage, high education costs, inadequate school facilities, shortage of qualified teachers and weak enforcement of compulsory education laws continue to push many children out of school.
NAPPS called on the government to conduct comprehensive research before implementing the proposal, saying there is no clear evidence that separating JSS from SSS is a major cause of school dropout.
The association also warned that any reform should protect children’s access to technical and vocational education. It noted that many learners currently move into technical colleges or vocational training after completing junior secondary school, giving them practical skills for future employment.
Another concern raised was children’s safety. NAPPS said separating younger and older students has helped reduce bullying in many schools and improved younger learners’ confidence and emotional wellbeing. It urged the government to explain how these child protection gains would be preserved if the two school levels are merged.
The association stressed that lasting improvements in education would come from making schools safer, improving teaching quality, supporting vulnerable children and expanding access to affordable education, rather than changing the school structure alone.
