The National Association of Proprietors of Independent Schools (NAPPS) has cautioned the Federal government versus hurrying ahead with its proposition to merge Junior and Elder Secondary Schools, arguing that restructuring the education system alone will not resolve Nigeria’s growing out-of-school kids obstacle.
The association maintained that there is no evidence connecting the existing separation of Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS) to the country’s high dropout rate, stressing that any significant policy reform must be backed by comprehensive research study and credible information.
NAPPS made its position known in a declaration collectively signed by its National President, Chief Yomi Otubela, and National Secretary, Evangelist Ajibade Augustine, in action to the Federal Government’s strategy to replace the current 6-3-3-4 education structure with a continuous six-year secondary education design.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to improve school retention and reduce the number of out-of-school kids, the association argued that the nation’s education obstacles are driven mostly by socio-economic factors rather than today secondary school structure.
According to NAPPS, issues such as hardship, insecurity, increasing education expenses, kid labour, early marriage, insufficient infrastructure, scarcity of certified teachers and weak enforcement of required education laws stay the major factors numerous kids desert school.
The association kept in mind that although some supporters of the proposal believe a continuous six-year secondary education system could decrease the number of trainees who leave school after completing JSS3, especially in public schools, structural modifications alone would have restricted effect if the underlying causes of school dropout remain unsettled.
It described that lots of students fail to advance to senior secondary education since they are obliged by economic realities to seek employment, acquire occupation abilities or support their families, rather than because of the existing education structure.
NAPPS for that reason urged the Federal Government to undertake an across the country research study before implementing the proposed reform.
According to the association, choices on such a substantial policy should be based upon evidence, broad assessments and careful examination instead of assumptions.
It specified that if independent research study eventually proves the proposed model would improve finding out outcomes without weakening access, quality, student well-being or technical education chances, the association would support the reform.
NAPPS likewise got in touch with the government to engage critical stakeholders, consisting of the Nigeria Union of Educators, the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, state ministries of education, assessment bodies, education researchers, parents, technical education professionals, civil society organisations and development partners before reaching a decision.
The association stated education reforms are more reliable when those accountable for executing them are actively involved in the policy advancement procedure.
It even more alerted that eliminating the difference in between junior and senior secondary education could compromise technical and employment education by minimizing alternative pathways currently offered to trainees after finishing junior secondary school.
According to NAPPS, the present arrangement allows students whose strengths lie in vocational and technical fields to register in technical colleges and ability acquisition institutions, equipping them with practical competencies for employment and entrepreneurship.
The association advised the government to ensure that any new policy preserves these chances rather than restricting students’ instructional options.
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NAPPS also revealed issue that merging the 2 levels of secondary education could reverse progress made in lowering bullying among younger learners.
It kept in mind that separating junior and senior secondary students has actually produced more secure learning environments in lots of schools by restricting interactions between significantly older and more youthful students, thus improving students’ emotional wellness and confidence.
The association advised policymakers to thoroughly consider how such gains would be sustained under the proposed structure.
Beyond structural reforms, NAPPS suggested greater investment in teacher welfare, enhanced teaching quality, more powerful technical and employment education, expanded access to inexpensive public secondary education, repair of discipline and values-based education, as well as targeted assistance for susceptible learners.
The association also prompted the Federal government to acknowledge independent schools as key partners in broadening access to quality education by providing policy assistance, enhancing access to budget friendly financing and reducing several taxes and regulatory problems.
According to NAPPS, independent schools educate millions of Nigerian kids and play a substantial function in complementing federal government efforts to enhance educational gain access to and results, adding that they need to be totally incorporated into future education reform efforts.