Lagos Govt Backtracks On Admission Of Pupils Under 12 Yrs Into JSS1, Says No Decision Has Been Reached Yet

Lagos State Government has reversed its position on admission of under aged Pupils Into Junior Secondary Schools on the basis that no decision has been reached on it yet.

The backtrack is contained in the Press Release that was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL).

“The attention of the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo has been drawn to a write up being circulated on media space about a decision purportedly reached regarding the admission of under aged pupils into Junior Secondary Schools in Lagos State.”

The Commissioner however admitted that “the Education Ministry has indeed received concerns from various Stakeholders regarding this subject. As a consequence, meetings were held with various stakeholders and correspondence and minutes exchanged.”

She said “However, no decision has been made and no Circular has been put out for implementation. It is pertinent to state that the subject was already under review in the Education Ministry and has been a matter of great concern to the Administration.”

She added that “the expected years of schooling at each level of education are entrenched in the National Policy on Education. The adverse effects of non-completion of the Primary School Curriculum and being rushed into Junior Secondary School before physical, mental, emotional and social maturity of children is well-researched and documented. Education is not only cognitive; other aspects must also be given due attention and consideration in order to produce a whole and functional youth who will be able to function effectively in the 21st Century.”

Adefisayo disclosed this in a statement issued from her Office on Tuesday, while stating that meetings already scheduled with various categories of Stakeholders such as Executives of Private Schools’ Associations and Parent Bodies, Office of Education Quality Assurance, State Universal Basic Education Board, Lagos State Examination Board, ANCOPPS,NUT among others which is in furtherance of the Administration’s spirit of inclusivity and wide consultation had to be postponed due to the exigencies of the State’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The meetings were proposed to enable the State Government solicit the cooperation and participation of all Stakeholders in the rigorous implementation of the National Policy on Education in the State. The Public is hereby assured that as soon as normalcy returns, these meetings will be held, and details of the State’s final position on the matter will be made available to all Stakeholders, both digitally (online) and in hard copy through the State Media Platforms.

Finally, Adefisayo stressed the importance of not putting the cart before the horse. As mentioned, there have been outlined concerns on this matter and all issues raised will be discussed and follow proper due process before implementation.

TNL recalls that there were initially information in the media that the Lagos State Government will from the next academic session enforce the entry age of 12 years for pupils seeking admission into junior secondary school (JSS1) to check the registration of under-aged kids. Also, a fine of N50,000 for first offenders, N100,000 for second offenders as well as warning letters to close the school in case of further violation.

According to the circular allegedly addressed to Concerned Parents, dated March 17th, 2020, their state government said the new policy will be enforced in public and private schools to enhance compliance in the 2021 academic session.

The circular was allegedly signed by Mrs. A.A. Adebowale on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education acknowledging the myriad of disadvantages embedded in the admission of under-aged children into junior secondary schools.