12-Year Basic Education Proposal: FG to Meet ANCOPPS, NUT Wednesday

Following the mixed reactions that trailed the announcement of Tunji Alausa, minister of education’s planned 12-year structure for basic education in the country, The Federal Government is set to meet with the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Wednesday in Abuja to deliberate on the proposal.

It was reported that Tunji Alausa in a recent meeting with education stakeholders announced the Federal Government’s proposal to extend basic education to 12 years.

The proposal according to the minister aims to integrate junior and senior secondary education into a single continuous programme, a move that has sparked mixed reactions among education stakeholders. While some see potential benefits, others are calling for a thorough review before implementation.

Reactions from concerned education bodies indicated that the minister just proposed it, but it’s not a law yet.

They argued that the various education bodies concerned need to examine the blueprint thoroughly, whether it’s 12 years, nine years, or 10 years.

The stakeholders think that the upcoming Abuja meeting would provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions.

Audu Amber, National President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers was reported to have called for the need for careful analysis before making a definitive statement.

He pointed out that there is a need to properly analyze the proposal to unravel the federal government’s intentions.

On his part, Haruna Danjuma, National Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association lauded the proposal, noting that it could reduce student dropout rates and enhance skill acquisition.

Danjuma was quoted to have said that merging junior and senior secondary education into a 12-year programme without an examination barrier would ensure a seamless transition for students and prevent dropouts.

According to him, the revised curriculum would incorporate vocational skills from primary four, better-preparing students for both higher education and practical career paths.