The federal government has said schools across the country have been given a deadline of nine months to implement the newly unveiled Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education.
The Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Dr Iyela Ajayi, who disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Abuja, said the newly unveiled Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education is a strategic response to the challenges and gaps identified in the senior secondary education sub-sector.
He said over the years, they have observed disparities in curriculum implementation, teaching quality, school infrastructure and learner outcomes across different states and schools.
Ajayi said: “With these newly developed standards, we now have a comprehensive framework that sets clear benchmarks for learning content, teacher qualification, school facilities, learners’ assessment and governance in all senior secondary schools across Nigeria.”
He said the initiative aligns with global best practices and national policies aimed at ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education, regardless of location or socio-economic background.
“The future of Nigeria depends on how well we equip our young minds with the right knowledge and skills. By implementing these minimum standards, we are taking a decisive step toward a brighter, more prosperous future for our learners and our nation,” he said.
While noting that the curriculum will ensure that all learners acquire essential knowledge, skills, and competencies required for higher education and the workforce, he said it will also strengthen teacher’s capacity through continuous training and certification to improve classroom delivery.
The NSSEC boss also noted that it launched the AI training programme to equip 6,000 selected senior secondary school teachers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said the initiative seeks to integrate AI into the educational system, enhance teaching methods and empower educators with the skills to prepare students for a technology-driven future.
e called on state governments, school administrators, and private sector partners to support the initiative by investing in infrastructure, teacher training and learner welfare.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa said: “As educators, we must embrace this evolution and ensure our education sector is not left behind. The integration of AI into pedagogy offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance learning experiences, personalise education and develop critical thinking skills among our students.
“Our goal is to prepare them for careers in a technology-driven world, where AI literacy will be as fundamental as reading and writing.
“This document, which was developed by NSSEC through extensive collaboration with stakeholders and approved by the National Council on Education, will serve as a guiding framework to ensure that senior secondary education across Nigeria adheres to high-quality standards.
“It is our blueprint for ensuring consistency, accountability and measurable improvement in our education sector,” he said.