National Policy on Education

The National Policy on Education seeks the imbibing of national consciousness and national unity; the inculcation of correct values and attitudes for the survival of the individual and the Nigerian society; the training of the mind in understanding of the world around; and the acquisition of appropriate skills, abilities and competence both mental and physical as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of his society.

In order to preserve the culture of the people, government of Nigeria encourages the learning of at least one major Nigerian language - Hausa, lgbo and Yoruba in schools. In addition to the English language, which is the official language in Nigeria and the medium of instruction in Nigerian educational institutions, students are encouraged to learn the French language as a matter of policy.

Pre-Primary Education

This is referred to as the education given to children aged three to five years prior to their entering primary school. This type of education is currently being provided for mainly in privately owned institutions. Day care center / crèche also exist for children below the age of two. The pre-primary schools are mainly concentrated in urban and semi-urban areas where there are working mothers who have no relation or house-helps to take care of their children.

Primary Education

This is education given normally to children aged between six and eleven years and above. Since the rest of the educational system is built upon it, the primary level is the key to the success or failure of the whole system. The state and local governments have the constitutional responsibility for primary education but private sector, represented by individuals, communities, religious groups, and voluntary agencies are permitted to own and run primary schools. Private schools usually charge fees whilst public schools charge only a token amount in fees. Parents provide uniforms, text-books and other school materials in both private and public schools.

Special Education

Education of handicapped children was not considered an important investment until quite recently. Infact, the first school for handicapped children (excluding the gifted) was established by the missionaries in 1932. However, by 1974, Government has thought it fit to accord it due priority that it deserves. Since then each State of the Federation has been providing integration facilities for the handicapped in compliance with the Federal Government policy. Special education is the educational treatment of children and adults who have learning difficulties because of various sorts of disabilities. As a result they are unable to cope with the normal school class organization and methods, without special supportive resources.

There are also the specially gifted and talented children who are intellectually precious and find themselves insufficiently challenged by the programmes of the normal schools, and who may take to behaviour problems in resistance to it. Government has directed that all exceptional children must be provided for under the National Policy on Education.

Secondary Education

Secondary education is the form of education children receive after primary education and before the tertiary stage. The broad aims of secondary education within Nigeria's overall national objectives are preparation of students for useful living within the society and for higher education.

Government plans that secondary education should be of six year duration and be given in two stages, the junior secondary school (JSS) and the senior secondary school (SSS), each stage being of three year duration.

The junior secondary school is both pre-vocational and academic.

Student who leave school at the junior high school stage may then go on to an apprenticeship system or some other scheme for out-of-school vocational training.
The senior secondary school is for those able and willing to have a complete six-year secondary education. It is comprehensive but has a core curriculum designed to broaden pupil's knowledge and outlook. The core curriculum is the group of subjects, which every pupil must take in addition to his or her specialties. They are: English Language, Mathematics, one Nigerian Language, one of the following alternative subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology, one of the Literature in English, History and Geography, Agricultural Science or a vocational subject. The core subjects are basic subjects, which will enable a student to offer arts or science in higher education.

Higher Education including Professional Education

Higher Education covers the post-secondary section of the national education system which is given in Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology, Colleges of Education, Advanced Training Colleges, Correspondence Colleges and such institutions as may be allied to them.

Structure and Organization of the Education System

The structure of formal educational system has four levels:
a. Pre-primary
b. Primary 6-year duration
c. Secondary Junior and Senior of 3-year duration each
d.Tertiary 4 years of University education
   4 years of Polytechnic education
   2-years of National Diploma (ND) and 2-years of Higher National Diploma (HND)
   3 Years at College of Education