Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has announced the introduction of a unique Learner Identification Number to track students’ academic progress and address the massive drop-out rate between primary and secondary school.
The Nigerian government has unveiled plans to implement a Learner Identification Number (LIN) designed to track students from the primary level throughout their entire academic journey. Minister of Education Tunji Alausa disclosed the initiative during a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday, explaining that the unique ID will follow each child regardless of school transfers. While the ministry introduced this new tracking system, spokesperson Folasade Boriowo clarified that the government has no plans to scrap the National Common Entrance examination, which remains the standard for transitioning from primary to Junior Secondary School (JSS).
The move aims to provide the data necessary to address the massive gap in education transitions, as government figures show that only about three million out of 23 million pupils in public primary schools currently progress to secondary education. The Minister highlighted the critical need for better oversight to understand why millions of children are falling out of the system. “If somebody is expected to be in JSS class one and he is not there, we will be able to know the reason why he is not continuing his education,” Mr. Alausa stated, questioning the whereabouts of the estimated 20 million students not currently enrolled in public secondary schools.
To support the new tracking system, the Ministry is collaborating with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to expand school infrastructure and accommodate more students. Additionally, efforts are underway to revive the national school feeding program to incentivize enrollment, with plans to move the initiative directly under the Ministry of Education for more effective monitoring. “To also follow up on our pupils and students, we are introducing the Learner Identification Number right from the primary school level for our children,” the Minister explained, noting that the unique number will serve as a permanent record for every Nigerian student.
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