FG Sets New Minimum Age for JSS1 Admission

The Federal Ministry of Education has introduced a new policy that sets 12 years as the minimum age for pupils entering Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) after completing six years of primary education. 

The guideline was outlined in the recently launched policy document on Non-State Schools.

Non-State Schools, also known as private, independent or non-government schools operate outside government control and funded through school fees, individual donors, religious institutions, businesses and charitable foundations.

The document noted the influence of non-state schools in Nigeria’s education sector, as it acknowledged the uneven quality of education across these institutions.

Speaking on the age of enrolment, the Federal Ministry of Education 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 on attaining the age of four, and one year of compulsory pre-primary education (Kindergarten) on attaining the age of five years, in accordance with the specification of Section 2(17) of the NPE, 2013 Edition.”

The policy also specified age requirements for beginning Junior Secondary School, stating that, “Basic education shall be of nine years’ duration. 

“There shall be a six-year primary and a three-year Junior Secondary School (JSS). 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 (6) years of primary education, at around the age of twelve (12) years.”

The Nigeria Education Digest 2022, compiled by the education ministry, revealed  the growing presence of non-state schools, especially at the junior secondary level, where they now outnumber public schools in at least 26 states.

“The growth in the number of non-state schools between 2017 and 2022 (the last five years reported) has been faster than that of state schools.

“Non-state primary schools grew in number by 31.56 per cent between 2017 and 2022, while state schools grew in number by 3.3 per cent within the same period.

“At the Junior Secondary level, non-state schools grew in number by 35.06 per cent between 2017 and 2022, while state schools grew in number by 6.8 per cent only within the same period.”