PTA Backs 12-Year Entry Age For Secondary School 

The Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria has expressed support for the newly inaugurated policy mandating 12 years as the minimum entry age for pupils transitioning into Junior Secondary School.

The guideline, contained in the policy document on Non-State Schools by the Federal Ministry of Education, stipulates that children must complete six years of primary education and attain the age of 12 before being admitted into Junior Secondary School.

Non-State Schools, referred to as private, independent, or non-government schools are institutions not managed by the government.

The policy says, “Basic education shall be of nine years’ duration. There shall be a six-year primary and a three-year Junior Secondary School. Children shall be admitted into Primary One when they attain the age of six years.”

It also outlines that nursery education will span three years: Nursery One at age three, Nursery Two at age four, and one year of compulsory pre-primary education (kindergarten) at age five, in line with Section 2(17) of the National Policy on Education, 2013 Edition.