The Federal Government’s proposal to merge Junior and Senior Secondary Schools has triggered mixed reactions. While some believe the move could reduce school dropouts by ensuring a seamless transition for students, others insist the real causes of the problem lie elsewhere.
WEEKEND HOPE sampled public opinion on the proposal.
Their views:
I think the merger can improve students’ chances of completing secondary education because it removes unnecessary administrative barriers. However, government must also address poverty, improve school infrastructure, and make education more affordable for families.
Elizabeth Adedayo.
I support merging JSS and SSS because it will reduce the number of students who drop out during the transition. It will also provide uninterrupted learning and save parents from extra admission costs. However, the government must provide enough classrooms, teachers, and learning materials for the policy to succeed.
Emmanuel Olugbade
I do not support merging JSS and SSS. The current system encourages students to study hard because promotion depends on their performance. I believe dropout is mostly caused by financial difficulties and family challenges, not the separation between JSS and SSS.
Ayomide Oni
I believe many students stop schooling because of the financial burden of moving to SSS, especially the cost of uniforms and other levies. If the transition becomes automatic and government provides learning materials, more parents will be encouraged to keep their children in school.
I don’t think the merger is necessary because JSS and SSS have different academic objectives. JSS builds students’ foundation, while SSS prepares them for external examinations. Instead of merging them, government should focus on reducing poverty and improving the quality of education.
I partly support the merger because it can make the transition from junior to senior secondary school easier. But for it to have real impact, the government must invest in qualified teachers, better school facilities, scholarships, and counselling services for students.
To some extent, I support the policy because it could make students progress more easily from JSS to SSS without unnecessary interruptions. However, proper funding, better planning, and adequate educational resources are necessary for the policy to achieve its objectives.
Merging JSS and SSS can help reduce dropout rates by removing examination and financial barriers. However, the policy alone will not solve the problem because poverty, child labour, insecurity, and poor school facilities are still major reasons why students leave school.