FG to Scrap JSS-SSS Separation, Sets Up Smart Schools Committee

The Federal Government has inaugurated a UBEC Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee to fast-track the delivery of Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools nationwide, while unveiling plans to phase out the longstanding policy separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS).

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the committee in Abuja, saying its success would be measured by the number of schools that become fully operational and actively educate children.

The minister expressed concern that many UBEC-funded projects remain incomplete or have yet to commence academic activities, directing the committee to collaborate with state governments, State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and other stakeholders to ensure timely project completion, teacher deployment, provision of facilities and learner enrolment.

Alausa also announced plans to phase out the JSS-SSS disarticulation policy, saying the arrangement has led to overcrowded junior secondary schools, underutilised senior secondary facilities and rising school dropout rates.

According to him, the proposal will be presented at the next National Council on Education as part of broader reforms to improve access to quality education nationwide.

UBEC Executive Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Garba, disclosed that 37 Smart Schools have been established across the country, with 24 already operational, while 30 Bilingual Schools are being implemented in nine states under the UBEC-Islamic Development Bank partnership.

She added that the Alternative Schools Programme is expanding educational opportunities for out-of-school children, particularly girls and other vulnerable groups, through flexible and inclusive learning models.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Professor Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye pledged to carry out the assignment “with integrity, professionalism and transparency,” assuring Nigerians that government investments would translate into sustainable, fully functional schools that improve learning outcomes for every child.