Reactions trail FG's ban on admission, transfer of students into SS3, special centres

"By implementing this policy, Nigeria's education system can potentially benefit from reduced examination malpractice, improved academic integrity, and a more level playing field for all students. As educators, we must continue to support policies that promote academic excellence and integrity while also ensuring that our students receive the support they need to succeed," Obe added.

NAPPS urges govt to consider legitimate exceptional circumstances

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Nigeria, in a statement, emphasised the need for balance, practical implementation and inclusiveness in actualising this policy.

The president of the association, Yomi Otubela, buttressed that some legitimate circumstances, such as parental relocation, health challenges, school closures, or security concerns, may necessitate students' transfers at

the senior level, hence, a blanket restriction without clearly defined exceptions and safeguards, may unintentionally penalise innocent students and families who have no link or intention for examination malpractice.

The NAPPS boss, however, recommended that the Ministry should develop clear operational guidelines, including a transparent approval framework for exceptional cases, robust monitoring mechanisms, and adequate stakeholder's engagement, especially with school proprietors, principals, and examination bodies.

He also advised that addressing the root causes of malpractices through stronger supervision, technology-driven examination processes, and firm sanctions against erring centres, will be more sustainable than policies that may restrict genuine academic mobility.

"NAPPS remains committed to partnering with the government to uphold standards, promote ethical practices, and protect the future of Nigerian learners. We urge continued dialogue to ensure that this policy achieves its noble aim without creating unintended hardship or inequity within the education system.

"NAPPS aligns with all sincere efforts aimed at restoring integrity, fairness, and public confidence in national examinations. Any policy that strengthens academic discipline and discourages sharp practices deserves careful consideration," he noted.

Low-cost school members advocate independence to run examination centers

An educationist and an advocate for low-cost schools, Mr. Emmanuel Kanu Orji, noted with concern, that some low-cost schools, due to circumstances beyond their control, still face challenges in obtaining approvals from the government to operate independent examination centres. This, he said, forces them to transfer students to other schools to sit for terminal exams, not by choice but due to necessity.

According to Orji, running a low-cost school comes with significant challenges, which includes: limited resources, high operational costs, and stringent regulations. He noted that many of the members of Affordable Formidable Educational Development (AFED), struggle to meet accreditation standards, yet provide quality education to thousands of students.

Orji, however, appealed to the government to support schools working towards improvement, provide incentives for accreditation, and create pathways for low-cost schools to become independent examination centres. This, he said would ensure compliance with the policy while addressing the unique challenges faced by the sector.

NCNSS urges government to consider children of transferred parents

The National Coalition of Non-State Schools (NCNSS) noted that the policy is laudable, but the implementation should be carefully studied ahead of 2026/2027 academic session to avoid unintended consequences.

NCNSS National President, Mr. Saleh Kwaru, stated that the policy might make it economically unviable for the children of some families who are often transferred from one work setting to another to continue their education at the new location, which may lead to dropouts.

Kwaru appealed to the Minister of Education to collaborate with non-state schools associations to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment and provide clear transitional guidelines for families who may be compelled to relocate.

"Flexible exceptions should be considered for genuine cases of transfer, while maintaining strict safeguards against malpractice," Kwaru appealed.

CONUA commends policy

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) bemoaned the proliferation of 'special centres,' maintaining that it has helped erode the credibility of Nigerian certificates.

CONUA noted that restricting late-stage student movement before terminal examinations would reinforce academic continuity and ensures that schools are held accountable for the outcomes of students they have genuinely trained throughout the full secondary cycle.

"CONUA believes that restoring integrity at the foundational levels of education is essential to improving the quality of candidates who eventually enter the nation's universities. We therefore urge all stakeholders, parents, school administrators, education authorities, and the wider public, to support the transparent and effective implementation of these reforms in the collective interest of Nigeria's educational future," it said.

Center should be renamed as 'Retake Centers', says TG/PS

Lagos State District III Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Osinaike, advised that those centers be renamed as "retake centers", and they should be exclusively for candidates who wrote WAEC before and not for SS1 and SS2 students who want accelerated movement in life.

Osinaike opined that such centers fall below A-level standards and because of previous experience of attempted or failed WAEC, are above O/level standard.

The TG added that the SS3 class is a terminal class and should be accorded its rightful status. He also added that transfer of students into SS3 would import foreign culture to already trained and mannered students; thereby exposing them to foreign behaviour, hence, should be banned.

"The policy of Continuous Assessment (CA) negates bringing in any candidate in SS3 because it means their CAs will be cooked and unrealistic," Osinaike noted.