The Ondo State Government has prohibited the promotion of pupils from Primary 4 directly into Junior Secondary School, reaffirming its commitment to the 6-3-3-4 education system and a broader campaign to improve the quality of basic education across the state.

The directive was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, during a stakeholders’ meeting with education officials, proprietors of private schools and other key players in Akure.

Ajibefun said the practice of advancing pupils from Primary 4 into JSS1 violates Nigeria’s national education policy, which requires every child to complete six years of primary education before progressing to junior secondary school.

According to the commissioner, the government will no longer tolerate shortcuts that undermine learning outcomes and deprive pupils of the foundational knowledge expected at the primary level.

“The six years of primary education are compulsory. No pupil should be promoted from Primary 4 to Junior Secondary School in violation of the 6-3-3-4 structure,” he said.

The decision forms part of a wider reform agenda aimed at restoring discipline, quality assurance and accountability within Ondo’s education sector.

Beyond the promotion ban, the government announced tougher measures against miracle centres, examination malpractice and unregistered schools operating without official approval. Ajibefun warned that schools found violating the regulations risk sanctions, closure and prosecution where necessary.

The commissioner explained that many illegal schools operate below minimum standards, employing unqualified personnel and exposing pupils to poor learning environments.

He said the Ministry of Education is reviewing guidelines for establishing private schools and strengthening inspection mechanisms to ensure compliance with approved academic and infrastructural standards.

The renewed enforcement follows several education reforms introduced by the Ondo government over the past year. These include the ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery, primary and junior secondary schools, the re-accreditation of private schools and investigations into unauthorised fees collected from pupils in public primary schools.

Education authorities said the reforms are designed to protect parents from exploitation while ensuring that pupils receive quality instruction consistent with national standards.

The state also recently introduced a digital admission processing system for JSS1 and fixed cut-off marks for admissions into public secondary schools, alongside efforts to strengthen oversight of both public and private institutions.

Ondo’s education reforms align with its 2025–2028 Medium-Term Basic Education Strategic Plan, which prioritises improved learning outcomes, teacher development, stronger quality assurance and greater access to equitable basic education across the state’s 18 local government areas.

Ajibefun urged school proprietors to comply fully with the directives, stressing that the government’s objective is not to frustrate genuine operators but to safeguard educational standards and give every child the opportunity to complete a solid foundation in basic education.

The government said monitoring teams from the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies will intensify inspections across schools as enforcement of the new measures begins.