The federal ministry of education has moved to calm nationwide concerns surrounding the recently updated curriculum for senior secondary schools, stressing that students will not be compelled to take subjects they have never been taught.
The debate was triggered in November when a Lagos-based secondary school notified SS3 students of changes to subject offerings ahead of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The announcement followed a communiqué issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) detailing fresh subject requirements for candidates sitting for next year’s exams.
According to WAEC, the new policies—targeted at the 2026 WASSCE cohort—were designed to reduce subject overload while introducing essential modern competencies, including digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills.
The federal ministry had earlier explained that the curriculum reforms align with the start of each three-year senior school cycle.
Under the revised structure, core subjects now include English Language, General Mathematics, Citizenship and Heritage Studies, Digital Technologies (formerly ICT), and one trade subject.
However, the ministry clarified that Citizenship and Heritage Studies and Digital Technologies will not be examined in 2026, as both subjects still require new syllabuses and assessment frameworks.
In addition, the number of trade subjects has been slimmed from 26 to six, although the content remains largely unchanged.
The changes sparked worry among parents, teachers, and students, especially those who had not been exposed to the newly approved trade subjects during SS1 and SS2.
Some stakeholders feared students would be forced to pick subjects “they were never prepared for”, particularly the streamlined trade options.
There were also claims that Marketing had been made compulsory for business students, including in schools that do not offer the subject.
Another concern was that students who had taken Civic Education or Computer Studies might have to add new subjects in order to meet WAEC’s minimum registration requirement of eight subjects.
READ ALSO: Reps Call on FG to Reverse Removal of Key Subjects from WAEC Portal
In a statement issued on Sunday, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa dismissed the fears as unfounded.
He insisted that all approved subjects remain open to every student, regardless of their class stream.
“There is no restriction or exclusion in selecting any subject within the curriculum,” the minister said. “Science students may choose subjects from the arts and social sciences, just as arts or social science students may select from science subjects.”
Alausa added that students currently offering ICT are automatically eligible to sit for the Digital Technologies exam.
On trade subjects, he stressed that no student is under obligation to register for any of the six revised options if they have not been taught the content.
WAEC’s 2026 WASSCE will be the first to reflect the new curriculum guidelines. The ministry has urged school authorities to properly guide students through their subject selection to avoid misinformation and panic.