Implications of the New 12-Year Basic Education Policy on Private Schools and School Owners – Part 3

The recent Federal Ministry of Education’s proposal to extend basic education to 12 years, integrating secondary education into the existing structure, has significant implications for the private school sector, particularly for those schools that currently offer only primary or secondary education only. As the policy is still in its nascent stages, several key questions remain unanswered, particularly concerning the continued role of primary schools, private school operators, and how the system will manage entrance exams to secondary education. This uncertainty poses challenges and requires thoughtful consideration for both public and private education systems.

In the first part, I steered the hornet nest by examining the policy shift vis-a-vis it benefits and challenges, while making recommendations for policymakers’ consideration. In the second part, we deeply investigated the new policy from different perspectives and made recommendations for policymakers,

This third part in this series of article is solely focusing on the implications of the new policy on private schools especially those who are specialised in either primary or secondary schools education and not both. I intend to examine these issues and bring them to the fore as we tinker with this new policy implementation to improve the system rather than stunt its growth in the medium to long terms.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS OFFERING ONLY PRIMARY EDUCATION

Let us briefly examine the implications of the new policy for private schools offering either primary of secondary education alone:

1. 1. Potential Expansion of Services for Private Schools

Private schools that currently only offer primary education may face a critical choice: expand to offer secondary education or risk losing their market share. The government’s policy shifts the landscape of education and could potentially reduce the number of students opting for private secondary schools if these schools do not adapt. With secondary education becoming part of basic education, the demand for private secondary institutions may decline as more children complete both their primary and secondary education through public systems.

1. 1. Possible Expansion:

Private primary schools could respond by expanding their offerings to include junior secondary education (JSS1-3) to meet the demand for continuous education. This would allow them to retain students throughout the 12 years of education, creating a more integrated learning experience for parents who prefer the private sector.

1. 1. Increased Investment:

School owners who choose to expand into the secondary school sector will face increased capital investment. They will need to recruit qualified secondary school teachers, develop new curricula, and invest in infrastructure and facilities. The expansion could strain the resources of many smaller private institutions, particularly those with limited capacity.

1. 2. Market Shifts: Decreased Demand for Private Secondary Schools

The proposed 12-year basic education policy could create competition for private secondary schools, particularly those targeting junior secondary education. With government-funded schools becoming free and providing full educational cycles up to age 16, some parents may opt for public education rather than paying for private secondary education, especially if quality remains comparable.

RELATED: Integrating Secondary Education into Basic Education: A Policy Shift for Nigeria’s Future

Private secondary schools may need to rethink their value proposition to attract and retain students. They may need to:

1. 1. Enhance Quality:

Invest in improving the quality of education by offering specialized programs, advanced extracurricular activities, and additional support services that public schools may lack.

1. 1. Focus on Vocational and Technical Education:

There could be an increase in demand for private schools offering vocational and technical education as part of the newly integrated curriculum. Schools may need to offer specialized programs that cater to the increasing emphasis on TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), which aligns with the government’s goals for youth employment and skills acquisition.

1. 3. Uncertainty Around Entrance Exams and School Qualifications

A key concern for parents, school owners, and students is whether the proposed system will eliminate traditional entrance exams to secondary school. With the new policy, if all children attend school for the full 12 years, it’s unclear whether entrance exams will still be necessary for progression to secondary education or whether it will be a seamless transition from primary to secondary education.

1. 1. Scenario 1:

No Entrance Exams: If the policy leads to a direct transition from primary to secondary education with no entrance exams, then private primary schools may no longer have an avenue to filter students into more specialized, private secondary schools. This could reduce the demand for private secondary schools, as children will be funneled directly into public secondary schools.

1. 1. Scenario 2:

Maintaining Entrance Exams: If entrance exams are still required, private schools will need to find ways to ensure that their students are adequately prepared for these exams. This could present an opportunity for private primary schools to expand their services by offering preparatory classes or specialized secondary education tracks.

Concerns About Policy Clarity and Implementation

As rightly pointed out earlier, one of the major challenges for policy implementation in Nigeria has been the lack of clarity and a solid strategy for execution. Many well-intentioned policies have failed to deliver results due to inadequate planning, lack of resources, or political interference. There are several concerns about how this policy will be implemented, including:

1. 1. Policy Design and Communication

For the policy to succeed, clear communication and proper guidelines must be established for both public and private schools. Currently, private school owners are uncertain about whether they will be allowed to continue operating their schools as they are, or if they will be required to expand into secondary education.

• • Recommendation for Policymakers:

The Ministry of Education should provide clear, comprehensive guidelines for private school operators, including how they can integrate secondary education into their existing primary school curricula. These guidelines should include timelines, accreditation processes, and criteria for offering secondary education.

1. 2. Funding and Infrastructure Support for Private Schools

Many private schools, especially those offering only primary education, may lack the resources to expand to secondary education. There is a potential gap in the funding required to develop secondary school infrastructure, recruit qualified teachers, and revise curricula. Without government support, many private school owners may struggle to implement the changes required to comply with the policy.

• • Recommendation for Policymakers:

Policymakers should consider providing funding or support programs to private schools that are willing to transition to offering secondary education. This could be in the form of subsidies, grants, or tax incentives for private schools that invest in expanding their offerings to meet the policy’s requirements.

1. 3. Regulatory Oversight and Quality Control

As the policy shifts, there is a risk of inconsistent quality across private and public institutions. Private schools that decide to enter the secondary education space must meet national education standards and regulations to ensure that the quality of education remains high.

• • Recommendation for Policymakers:

The Ministry of Education must ensure that accreditation and regulatory bodies are strengthened to oversee the expansion of private schools into secondary education. This will ensure that private schools adhere to quality standards and deliver on the policy’s promise of equitable education.

1. 4. Bridging the Gap in Teacher Capacity

For private primary schools expanding into secondary education, a critical challenge will be the availability of qualified teachers for the new secondary curriculum, particularly in specialized subjects such as science, mathematics, and vocational training.

• • Recommendation for Policymakers:

The government should prioritize the training and certification of teachers in the technical and vocational education sectors, offering incentives for teachers to work in private secondary schools. Moreover, the government could partner with universities and teacher training colleges to increase the supply of qualified secondary school educators.

RELATED: Understanding the New Education Policy: A shift Towards A 12-4 System in Nigeria

Conclusion

The proposed integration of secondary education into basic education, extending it to 12 years, offers a potentially transformative shift in Nigeria’s educational landscape. However, the policy raises important questions about the future of private schools, particularly those that currently offer only primary education. Private school owners may face challenges related to expanded infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and teacher capacity as they adjust to the new policy.

For the policy to succeed, clear guidelines, financial support, and a strategic approach to capacity building are essential. Policymakers must ensure that private schools are adequately supported and incentivized to transition into secondary education, while also maintaining high-quality standards across all institutions. With proper implementation, this policy could improve access to education, reduce dropout rates, and provide young Nigerians with the skills needed for a modern, technologically driven economy.