Parents, teachers slam Federal Ministry for forcing new subjects on SSS 3 students

Parents, teachers slam Federal Ministry for forcing new subjects on SSS 3 students

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and allied groups representing parents, teachers, and students have criticized the Federal Ministry of Education over its handling of the new Senior Secondary School (SSS) curriculum and the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

In a press statement signed by ERC National Mobilisation Officer Adaramoye Lenin and Concerned Parents Representative Olanrewaju Akinola, the groups argued that the ministry’s clarification on subject selection fails to address the central issue: current SSS 3 students may be forced to take subjects they have not studied since SSS 1.

“The question is whether it is rational to make students take subjects they have not been taught over the past three years in the 2026 WAEC examination. Unfortunately, this is the irrationality both the Ministry and WAEC are pushing,” the statement said.

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The ERC commended the House of Representatives for passing a resolution urging the ministry to suspend the 2026 WASSCE under the new curriculum, allowing students to sit for subjects they have been learning over the past three years. The resolution highlighted that with the examination only four months away, it is academically impossible for students to adequately prepare for new subjects.

Two days after the House resolution, the ministry issued a statement signed by its Director, Press and Public Relations, which ERC described as missing the crux of the matter. The group called the ministry’s plan “irrational” and “unjust”, warning it would leave students disadvantaged and shortchanged.

ERC urged a fair and sensible approach, recommending that the new curriculum be delayed for WAEC examinations until 2028, allowing the current curriculum to run through 2027.

“While we welcome the goal of reducing subject overload, insisting on applying the new curriculum for the 2026 WASSCE is misguided and unfair to students. The Federal Ministry of Education must act responsibly and ensure value for the public’s investment,” the statement concluded.

Parents, teachers slam Federal Ministry for forcing new subjects on SSS 3 students