The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to look beyond mere administrative restructuring in its bid to tackle Nigeria’s rising out-of-school children crisis.

Reacting to the government’s proposal to merge Junior and Senior Secondary education into a single, continuous six-year system, the association warned that changing the school structure without addressing underlying socioeconomic crises would yield only marginal results.

The position was contained in an official statement jointly signed by the NAPPS National President, ‘Yomi Otubela, and the National Secretary, Ajibade Augustine.

While commending the government for initiating talks to improve student retention, the leadership stressed that any major policy shift must be driven by data rather than assumptions.

The proposed policy aims to replace the long-standing 6-3-3-4 system, which splits secondary education into two distinct three-year tiers. Proponents argue that a seamless six-year run could prevent students from dropping out after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the Junior Secondary (JSS 3) level, a transition stage at which many public school students currently drop out to enter informal jobs or vocational trades.

However, NAPPS argued that the actual drivers of school dropout run much deeper than administrative divisions.

“Poverty, insecurity, the rising cost of education, child labour, early marriage, inadequate school infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, and weak enforcement of compulsory education laws remain the principal drivers of school dropout in Nigeria,” the association stated. “Unless these underlying challenges are deliberately addressed, changing the administrative structure may produce only marginal improvements.”

The association raised concerns over the potential unintended consequences of abolishing the clear separation between junior and senior secondary levels.

Under the current system, the transition point allows academically underperforming students or those with technical inclinations to branch out. After JSS 3, many learners choose to enrol in technical colleges, vocational institutions, or targeted skill-acquisition programmes. NAPPS warned that a fully integrated system could limit these alternative educational pathways and stifle student choices.

The leadership also raised concerns regarding student welfare, particularly inside public schools.

The existing separation has served as an effective structural shield against schoolyard bullying. By keeping younger, more vulnerable adolescents apart from much older senior students, schools have managed to foster safer, emotionally healthier environments.

Merging the two populations could expose younger students to safety risks that the government must carefully evaluate.

NAPPS insisted that true educational reform must focus on holistic, value-based improvements. The body called for enhanced teacher welfare, better teaching quality, reduced financial burdens on parents, and the restoration of public confidence in the education value chain.

Many youths currently abandon education because rising unemployment and weak incentives make learning appear unrewarding.

The statement also urged the government to recognise private schools as critical strategic partners in national development. Rather than burdening private proprietors with multiple taxes and heavy regulatory oversight, it said the government should offer policy support and access to affordable financing.

On a positive note, NAPPS welcomed complementary digital initiatives, such as the introduction of the Learner Identification Number (LIN) and the Digital National Education Management Information System, noting their potential to improve learner tracking and evidence-based planning.

Moving forward, NAPPS recommended that the Federal Government immediately commission independent, comprehensive research backed by national data and international best practices to verify whether the current split structure is truly the primary cause of school dropouts.

Additionally, the association called for immediate, wide-ranging consultations with key education frontliners, 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.

“The proposed integration of Junior and Senior Secondary education should neither be accepted nor rejected on the basis of assumptions or sentiments,” the statement concluded. “If credible evidence ultimately demonstrates that such restructuring will improve educational outcomes without compromising access, quality, technical education pathways, student welfare, or educational flexibility, NAPPS will support reforms that genuinely advance the best interests of Nigerian children.” (TRIBUNE)