A child who spends only four years in primary school instead of six may reach secondary school faster, but education officials in Ondo State believe that speed can come at a cost.
That concern is behind a new policy announced by the Ondo State Government, which has banned the promotion of pupils from Primary 4 directly into secondary school and warned schools against bypassing Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education structure.
The government says the practice has become common in some schools, where pupils are moved through the system before completing the required years of basic education. While the arrangement may appear attractive to some parents eager to see their children advance quickly, authorities argue that it often leaves students without the academic foundation needed to succeed later.
According to the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, pupils are expected to spend six years in primary school before progressing to secondary education. He noted that skipping two years of learning could affect a child’s ability to cope with more advanced subjects in the future.
The concern extends beyond the classroom. Education officials believe weak foundational learning contributes to poor academic performance and may partly explain why some students later resort to examination malpractice in external examinations.
For this reason, the state plans to fully enforce the national 6-3-3-4 education policy, which outlines six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary school, three years of senior secondary school and four years of tertiary education.
The government, however, clarified that exceptionally gifted pupils may still qualify for double promotion based on merit. The focus, officials say, is on ending the routine practice of pushing pupils ahead before they are academically ready.
Beyond pupil promotion, the state is also turning its attention to examination integrity.
Authorities have announced plans to intensify monitoring of so-called “miracle centres” — examination centres often accused of facilitating malpractice. The government says it intends to identify and eliminate centres found to be encouraging cheating during public examinations.
At the same time, unregistered private schools are coming under fresh scrutiny.
Education officials estimate that a significant number of private schools in the state may be operating without proper registration or documentation. Some are reportedly running from makeshift facilities and remain outside official government records.
The state government believes stricter regulation will help improve education quality and ensure that schools meet minimum standards required for effective teaching and learning.
As schools prepare to resume for a new academic session, the reforms signal a broader effort by Ondo State to strengthen educational standards, restore confidence in the learning process and ensure that pupils progress through the system with the knowledge and skills expected at every stage.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.