By Denis Agbo
The former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, has applauded the Federal Government’s decision to phase out the separation of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS).
In a statement made available to journalists, Onoh described the policy, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, as a courageous and visionary move that corrects a reform which, he said, has contributed significantly to the high rate of student dropouts across the country.
According to him, the artificial division between JSS and SSS has, for years, created unnecessary administrative bottlenecks, disrupted learning continuity, and placed undue pressure on students and their parents.
He said reintegrating the two levels under a unified secondary education framework demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing systemic challenges in the education sector.
“This policy reversal is not merely administrative; it is a student-centred reform that prioritises access, retention and the successful completion of secondary education,” Onoh stated.
Highlighting the expected benefits of the initiative, Onoh said the seamless transition from JSS to SSS would reduce dropout rates by eliminating the disruptions and uncertainties that have forced many Nigerian children out of school prematurely.
He added that the unified system would improve learning outcomes through better curriculum continuity, stronger teacher coordination and more effective monitoring of students’ academic progress throughout the six-year secondary education cycle.
The former presidential spokesman also noted that the policy would promote more efficient utilisation of resources by enabling the optimal deployment of teachers, infrastructure and funding, thereby reducing duplication and strengthening school management.
Onoh further said the reform would particularly benefit children from vulnerable and low-income families by removing structural barriers that have hindered their educational advancement.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would produce better-prepared graduates capable of excelling in tertiary institutions and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Commending the Minister of Education for what he described as pragmatic leadership, Onoh said the policy reflects a welcome shift towards evidence-based and practical reforms focused on the best interests of Nigerian children.
He called on state governments, school administrators, teachers, parents and development partners to support the Federal Government in ensuring the successful implementation of the initiative.
“The future of Nigeria depends on the quality of education it provides to its children, and today’s announcement is a bold and positive step in the right direction,” Onoh said.
