ABUJA – The Federal Government through the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has announced the postponement of the implementation of the revised basic education curriculum to September 2025.
The revised curriculum, initially scheduled to commence in January 2025, was introduced by the former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman. Under the new curriculum, basic education pupils are required to acquire at least two vocational skills.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Alausa outlined the steps necessary to prepare for the curriculum’s implementation. These include developing teachers’ guides, training educators, and setting up classrooms, with a seven-month preparatory phase preceding the rollout.
“That curriculum starts in September 2025 with the new student enrollment. We are now going through the last phase of it, which is teacher training. We are training our teachers to implement that curriculum,” Alausa said.
Phasing Out BECE and Extending Compulsory Education
As part of broader education reforms, the minister announced plans to replace the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), also known as ‘Junior WAEC’, with a compulsory 12-year basic education programme. He noted that the BECE will be phased out after consultations with education stakeholders, with a formal proposal to be presented to the National Council on Education later this year.
Currently, the education system requires pupils to complete Primary Six before moving to Junior Secondary School. After Junior Secondary, they take the BECE to advance to Senior Secondary School. With the reforms, students will move seamlessly from Primary Six to Senior Secondary School without examinations.
“This reform aims to reduce dropout rates at the Junior Secondary level, where students often lack sufficient education and skills to contribute effectively to society,” Alausa explained.
He further emphasized that the additional three years of compulsory education would better equip students for life and future opportunities.
Increased Funding for Basic Education
Alausa also revealed plans to advocate for an increase in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funding from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The proposal seeks to raise UBEC’s allocation from two percent to five percent, with one percent dedicated to Early Child Care Development Education.
The education reform is part of the government’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s basic education system and align it with global standards.
