Lagos Pegs Entry Age Into JSS1 At 12 Years

The Lagos State Government has expressed commitment to enforce from next academic session the entry age of 12 years for pupils seeking admission into junior secondary school (JSS1) to check the registration of under-aged kids.

A circular by signed by Mrs A.A. Adebowale on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education dated March 17^th, 2020 said the new policy will be enforced in public and private schools to enhance compliance in the 2021 academic session.

It said 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.

The circular acknowledged the myriad of disadvantaged embedded in the admission of under-aged children into junior secondary schools.

Iit noted that the ministry asked that the current policy on education should be made available online for all stakeholders to have easy access in either soft or hard copy.

‘’Sensitisation and advocacy drive of both registered and non-registered associations of private schools, parents forum, and other related educational bodies should be adopted, through mass media, filers, market place campaign, mosques, churches and town hall meetings would be carried out,’’ said the circular.

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‘’A meeting involving presidents and secretaries of private school associations would be organised by the ministry to enable the education commissioner to solicit their cooperation for the enforcement of the policy.’’

‘’The new policy added that examinations board and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) would ensure that under-aged pupils are neither allowed registration nor participation in placement test into JSS 1 and model college screening.