New Policy: No Admission into SS3 as FG Moves to Curb Exam Malpractice

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in both public and private secondary schools across Nigeria as a measure to curb examination malpractice.

The Federal Ministry of Education said the policy, outlined in a press release dated December 14, 2025 and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session and aims to strengthen academic integrity and continuity in teaching and learning.

“Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry stated in the release, adding that the restriction is intended to discourage the movement of students late in their secondary education for alleged examination-related advantages.

The ministry explained that the decision follows “growing concerns over the increasing incidence of examination malpractice, including the use of so-called special centres during external examinations,” practices it said undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

Under the new policy, schools will be permitted to admit or transfer students only into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2), with no exceptions for SS3 placement.

The Federal Ministry of Education directed school proprietors, principals and administrators across the country to comply fully with the new policy and warned that any violation would attract appropriate sanctions under existing education regulations and guidelines.

The statement reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding academic standards, promoting fairness and restoring credibility to public examinations nationwide.