The Nigerian government has announced a major education reform with the introduction of a Learner Identification Number, aimed at tracking every student across the country The initiative, unveiled by Tunji Alausa, is designed to monitor pupils from primary school through their academic journey and address the growing concern of school dropouts.
This move is coming amid alarming statistics showing that millions of Nigerian children fail to transition from primary to secondary education With the new system, authorities hope to identify gaps, improve planning, and ensure that no child is left behind in the country’s education system.
What Is the Learner Identification Number?
The Learner Identification Number is a unique ID assigned to every pupil starting from primary school According to the Minister of Education, this number will follow each child throughout their academic life, regardless of school transfers.
This means students can now be tracked seamlessly across different schools, helping the government maintain accurate educational records nationwide.
Why the Nigerian Government Is Introducing the Learner ID
Tunji Alausa revealed that the initiative is aimed at solving a major education crisis millions of children dropping out before reaching secondary school.
Out of about 23 million pupils in over 50,000 public schools, only a little over three million transition to junior secondary school.
Addressing the Dropout Crisis
The new tracking system will help authorities quickly identify students who fail to progress and investigate the reasons behind it This could include financial challenges, lack of access, or relocation.
Improving Education Planning
With accurate data, the government can better plan school infrastructure, teacher allocation, and funding to meet the needs of students across the country.
Government Plans to Expand Access to Education
The minister emphasized that lack of access to schools is a major factor behind the low transition rate To address this, the government is working closely with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to build more schools nationwide.
This collaboration aims to ensure that every child has a nearby school to attend, especially in underserved communities.
No Plan to Scrap Common Entrance Exam
Amid widespread speculation, the Ministry of Education, through its spokesperson Folasade Boriowo, has clarified that there are no plans to cancel the National Common Entrance Examination.
The exam remains a key requirement for pupils transitioning from primary school to junior secondary school.
School Feeding Programme to Be Revived
In another major development, the government is considering reviving the school feeding programme to encourage enrolment in public schools.
There are also plans to move the programme under the Federal Ministry of Education for better monitoring and effectiveness.
Experts believe that improved feeding programmes could significantly boost school attendance, especially among children
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