The Federal Government has announced plans to phase out the long-standing common entrance examination for pupils transitioning from primary school to junior secondary school (JSS), replacing it with a Continuous Assessment (CA) system.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the policy shift during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, describing it as a move to better reflect pupils’ academic performance over time.
According to him, the new CA system will track pupils’ progress from primary one through to the end of their basic education, offering a more comprehensive measure of learning than a single examination.
“It will be replaced by Continuous Assessment. The CA will reflect the performance of the pupil from primary one, and even if a pupil is transferring from one school to another, he will take it along,” he said.
Alausa explained that the reform is designed to reduce the pressure associated with one-off examinations and promote consistent learning outcomes across the basic education level.
Learner Identification Number introduced
As part of the broader education reform, the government will introduce a Learner Identification Number (LIN) for all pupils. The system is expected to create a centralised database, allowing authorities to track students’ academic journeys and improve completion rates from primary to senior secondary school.
Education officials believe the initiative will also help curb dropout rates and strengthen data-driven policy decisions in the sector.
School feeding programme revival
The minister further revealed plans to revive the national school feeding programme. Oversight of the scheme will be transferred from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure better monitoring and accountability.
The government hopes the revamped programme will boost enrolment and retention in public schools, particularly among children from low-income households.
The proposed reforms mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s education assessment system, signalling a move towards continuous evaluation and improved student tracking nationwide.
