The Federal Government has pegged the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School (JSS) at 12 years, as contained in a new policy document on Non-State Schools unveiled last week by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The directive is part of broader efforts to standardize the structure and quality of education in private institutions across Nigeria. It specifies that children must complete six years of primary education—starting at age six—before progressing to junior secondary level.
According to the policy, nursery education in private schools will now follow a defined three-year structure: children are to begin Nursery One at age 3, Nursery Two at age 4, and undergo 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 proper age progression in the Nigerian education system. By following this sequence, the child completes basic education (nine years: six primary and three JSS) in a consistent and developmentally appropriate manner.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, stated that the new guidelines were necessary to curb premature transitions in school, which can negatively affect academic performance and social development.
He emphasized that private schools must comply with the policy to ensure that learners are emotionally and cognitively prepared for each stage of their education journey. The document also highlighted the vital role private schools play in education delivery, while calling for improved regulation to ensure quality across board.
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