Scrapping JSS-SSS separation is a start, says Molade Adeniyi

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, highlighted that the previous system left millions of children unable to transition to senior secondary education due to a mismatch between the number of primary and junior secondary schools. While acknowledging this administrative reform, Adeniyi questions if it will be sufficient to prevent 20 million children from dropping out between primary and secondary school. National data indicates that fewer than three in ten Nigerian pupils meet minimum literacy or numeracy standards by Primary 3, and UNICEF estimates that about seven in ten primary-age children cannot read with comprehension or solve simple arithmetic.

Adeniyi argues that dropout often stems from foundational learning problems in early grades, not just administrative barriers. She also points to a significant shortfall of nearly 200,000 primary teachers, with a national pupil-teacher ratio of approximately 1:35, exceeding the UNESCO benchmark of 1:25. Furthermore, close to a third of basic education teachers do not meet minimum qualification standards.

Adeniyi emphasizes that structural reform must be accompanied by sustained investment in early-grade literacy and numeracy instruction, and a comprehensive teacher strategy addressing both teacher deficits and professional