THE State Government has pegged entry age into both public and private secondary schools in the state at 12 years beginning from the new academic (2021/2022) session.
According to the government, the decision is to check the influx of under aged children into junior secondary school one (JSS1).
The government had in a circular to Concerned Parents, said the new policy would be enforced in both public and private schools to enhance compliance in the 2021/2022 academic session.
The circular, which was signed by A.A. Adebowale on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, acknowledged the several disadvantages embedded in the admission of under-aged children into junior secondary schools.
Adebowale explained that based on the stand of the state policy on education, the Commissioner for Education directed that the admission of children into either public or private junior secondary schools be pegged at 12 years.
She stated that the new policy would be strictly enforced by agencies of education in the state. She added that there would be severe punishment for violators, stressing that a first time offender will be fined N50,000, while a second time offender would pay N100,000 with a warning letter to close the school in case of a further violation.
The ministry stressed the need for sensitisation and advocacy drive by both registered and nononenegistered associations of private schools, parents forum, and other related educational bodies through mass media, filers, market place campaign, mosques, churches and town hall meetings.
Adebowale disclosed that the Ministry is planning a meeting involving presidents and secretaries of private school associations to solicit their cooperation in the enforcement of the policy.
She further disclosed that the curriculum department and office of quality assurance have been mandated to monitor compliance by schools.
“There should be sanctions for any schools that register under-aged pupils to both primary and public secondary schools,” the circular read.
According to the new policy, examination boards and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) are to ensure that under-aged pupils are neither allowed registration nor participation in placement test into JSS 1 and model college screening.
“Screening exercise for the transition from primary school to junior secondary school should be strictly adhered to as stated in section 3, sub-section 61, page 22 of Lagos State Policy on Education 2021,” the circular said.
