Nigeria’s education sector is on the verge of a major transformation as the Federal Government moves to replace the JSS common entrance exam with continuous assessment in Nigeria This bold step is aimed at improving how pupils are evaluated and ensuring a smoother transition from primary to junior secondary school.
Alongside this change, the government is introducing a Learner Identification Number (LIN) to track pupils throughout their academic journey Experts believe this reform could help solve long standing issues such as school dropouts and poor progression rates across the country.
FG Introduces Learner Identification Number (LIN)
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to assign every pupil a unique Learner Identification Number (LIN) starting from primary school.
According to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the LIN will remain with each student throughout their schooling, even if they change schools.
This system is designed to create a centralized academic record, making it easier to monitor student performance and movement across Nigeria’s education system.
Shocking Gap in School Transition Rates
One of the key reasons behind this reform is the alarming gap between primary and secondary school enrollment.
Nigeria currently has over 23 million pupils in more than 50,000 public primary schools However, only about 3 million of these pupils proceed to junior secondary school in public institutions.
This raises serious concerns about millions of children who may be dropping out or unable to continue their education.
Tackling the Dropout Challenge
With the introduction of the LIN, education authorities will be able to track each pupil’s progress and quickly identify those who leave school.
This will help the government address critical issues such as:
- Lack of access to quality education
- Poor school infrastructure
- Financial challenges faced by families
Continuous Assessment to Replace JSS Common Entrance Exam
In a major policy shift, the government plans to phase out the traditional common entrance examination for pupils moving into junior secondary school.
Instead, continuous assessment in Nigeria will be used to evaluate students based on their performance from Primary 1 to Primary 6.
This means that pupils will no longer rely on a single exam but will be assessed over time through tests, assignments, and class participation.
Why Continuous Assessment Matters
The new system offers several important benefits:
Encourages consistent learning instead of last minute exam preparation
- Provides a more accurate picture of a pupil’s academic ability
- Reduces stress associated with one time examinations
- Ensures fairness, even for pupils who change schools
- Additionally, students’ academic records will move with them, ensuring continuity in their evaluation.
Government Plans to Revive School Feeding Programme
To further support education, the Federal Government is also working on reviving the school feeding programme.
This initiative is expected to boost enrollment in public schools by attracting more children, especially from low income families.
There are also plans to move the programme under the Federal Ministry of Education for better supervision and improved implementation.
What This Reform Means for Nigerian Students
The introduction of continuous assessment and the Learner Identification Number marks a significant step toward modernizing Nigeria’s education system.
These reforms aim to:
- Improve access to education nationwide
- Increase transition rates from primary to secondary school
- Reduce dropout levels
- Strengthen data driven decision making in education
If properly implemented, this policy could reshape the future of learning for millions of Nigerian children.
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