The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has called on the Federal Government to look beyond administrative restructuring in its efforts to address the country’s growing number of out-of-school children, warning that merging Junior and Senior Secondary education will have a limited impact if deeper socio-economic problems are left unresolved.

Speaking against the backdrop of plans by the government to collapse the current structure into a single, continuous six-year secondary education system, NAPPS, in a statement jointly signed by the National President, Yomi Otubela, and Secretary, Ajibade Augustine, acknowledged government’s intention to improve students’ retention, but cautioned that any major policy shift must be grounded in data rather than assumptions.

The proposed policy seeks to replace the existing 6-3-3-4 system, which divides secondary education into two separate three-year tiers.

Advocates of the reform argued that a seamless six-year secondary school run would prevent students from exiting the system after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), at junior secondary school three, a point where many public school students drop out to take up informal jobs.

NAPPS, however, argued that the reasons behind school dropout in Nigeria extend far beyond the structure of the education system.

It identified poverty, insecurity, rising cost of education, child labour, early marriage, inadequate school infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, and weak enforcement of compulsory education laws, among others, as principal drivers of school dropout in Nigeria.

“Unless these underlying challenges are deliberately addressed, changing the administrative structure may produce only marginal improvements,” the group warned.

The association also expressed concerns that abolishing the clear separation between junior and senior secondary levels could have unintended consequences for learners.

Under the current arrangement, the transition at JSS 3 provides an opportunity for students who are academically struggling or those with technical interests to explore alternative pathways.

After JSS 3, many learners move into technical colleges, vocational institutions, or skill-acquisition centres that align with their abilities and career interests.

NAPPS warned that a fully integrated six-year system could restrict these options and reduce flexibility for students.

Welfare was another issue raised by the association. NAPPS noted that the existing separation between junior and senior students has served as a structural safeguard against bullying and other forms of peer abuse in schools.

By keeping younger adolescents apart from much older senior students, schools have been able to create safer and more emotionally supportive environments. The association said government must carefully evaluate the safety implications of bringing both groups together in one continuous cycle.

NAPPS further insisted that genuine educational reform must prioritise holistic and value-based improvements across the sector.

It called for better teacher welfare, improved quality of teaching, reduction in the financial burden on parents, and measures to restore public confidence in the education value chain.

The association pointed out that many young people abandon school because rising unemployment and weak economic incentives make education appear less rewarding.

The body also urged the federal government to recognise private schools as strategic partners in national development.

Rather than imposing multiple taxes and heavy regulatory requirements on private proprietors, it enjoined government to provide policy support and access to affordable financing that will enable private schools to contribute more effectively to expanding access and improving quality.

On digital reforms, NAPPS welcomed the introduction of the Learner Identification Number (LIN), and the Digital National Education Management Information System.

The association said these initiatives have the potential to improve learner tracking, planning, and evidence-based decision making in the education sector.

Looking ahead, it recommended that the federal government should commission independent and comprehensive research, backed by national data and international best practices, to determine whether the current split structure is truly the main cause of school dropouts.

The association also called for broad consultations with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), state ministries of education, examination bodies, parents, and civil society organisations, before any final decision is taken.

The group noted that the proposed integration should neither be accepted nor rejected on the basis of assumptions or sentiments.

“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.”