The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has advised the Federal Government to focus on addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s growing out-of-school children crisis rather than relying solely on structural reforms within the education system.
The association made the call while reacting to the Federal Government’s proposal to merge Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) into a single, uninterrupted six-year secondary education system.
In a statement jointly signed by NAPPS National President, Yomi Otubela, and National Secretary, Ajibade Augustine, the association acknowledged the government’s efforts to improve student retention but stressed that any major education reform should be guided by credible data and evidence rather than assumptions.
The proposed reform seeks to replace Nigeria’s long-standing 6-3-3-4 education system, under which secondary education is divided into two separate three-year stages. Supporters of the proposal believe a continuous six-year structure would reduce the number of students who leave school after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the JSS 3 level.
However, NAPPS argued that school dropout is driven by deeper socioeconomic challenges that cannot be solved through administrative restructuring alone.
According to the association, poverty, insecurity, the rising cost of education, child labour, early marriage, inadequate school infrastructure, shortages of qualified teachers, and weak enforcement of compulsory education laws remain the major factors pushing children out of school.
It warned that unless these underlying issues are addressed through deliberate government intervention, changing the structure of secondary education would have only limited impact.
NAPPS also expressed concern that removing the distinction between junior and senior secondary education could unintentionally reduce educational opportunities for students with different learning needs and career interests.
The association noted that the current transition after JSS 3 allows students who are more technically inclined or academically challenged to pursue alternative pathways such as technical colleges, vocational institutions, and skill acquisition programmes. A fully integrated system, it argued, could weaken these options and limit students’ educational choices.
Beyond academic concerns, NAPPS highlighted the potential impact on student welfare and school safety. It explained that separating younger students from older secondary school students has helped reduce bullying and created safer learning environments in many schools.
According to the association, merging both age groups could expose younger students to increased safety and welfare risks, which should be carefully considered before implementing the policy.
NAPPS maintained that meaningful education reform should prioritise improvements in teacher welfare, teaching quality, affordability of education, and restoring public confidence in the education sector.
The association added that many young people are discouraged from remaining in school because rising unemployment and limited economic opportunities have reduced the perceived value of education.
It also urged the Federal Government to recognise private schools as key partners in national development by reducing multiple taxation and regulatory burdens while providing supportive policies and access to affordable financing.
NAPPS, however, welcomed the introduction of digital initiatives such as the Learner Identification Number (LIN) and the Digital National Education Management Information System, describing them as important tools for improving learner tracking, planning, and evidence-based decision-making.
As part of its recommendations, the association called on the Federal Government to commission independent, data-driven research, supported by international best practices, to determine whether the current secondary school structure is truly responsible for the country’s dropout rate.
It also urged the government to engage widely with key education stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), state ministries of education, examination bodies, parents, and civil society organisations before implementing any structural reforms.
The association concluded that the proposed integration of junior and senior secondary education should neither be accepted nor rejected based on assumptions or emotions. It maintained that the reform should only proceed if credible evidence demonstrates that it will improve educational outcomes without compromising access to education, quality, technical education pathways, student welfare, or educational flexibility.
