Nigeria · school system guide
From Nursery to SS 3: which class matches your child’s age, what the big exams are, and free worksheets for every class.
Most children in Nigeria go through nursery, six years of primary school (Primary 1–6), three years of Junior Secondary School (JSS 1–3) and three years of Senior Secondary School (SSS 1–3, often written SS 1–3). Primary school and JSS together are the nine years of free and compulsory Universal Basic Education (UBE).
The Universal Basic Education Commission gives the usual ages as 3–5 for early childhood care and education (not compulsory), 6–11 for primary school and 12–14 for JSS. In practice many children start Primary 1 at about 5, so treat the ages below as a guide.
The Federal Ministry of Education has proposed changes, such as a 12-year basic education model and ending the separation of JSS from SSS. When we last checked (October 2026) these were proposals for the National Council on Education, not rules in force.
Nigeria
The typical age of a child at the start of each school year. Tap a class to open its free worksheets.
At 4, most children are in Nursery 1. That is part of Nursery.
Nursery 1 worksheetsAt 5, most children are in Nursery 2. That is part of Nursery.
Nursery 2 worksheetsAt 6, most children are in Primary 1. That is part of Primary school.
Primary 1 worksheetsAt 7, most children are in Primary 2. That is part of Primary school.
Primary 2 worksheetsAt 8, most children are in Primary 3. That is part of Primary school.
Primary 3 worksheetsAt 9, most children are in Primary 4. That is part of Primary school.
Primary 4 worksheetsAt 10, most children are in Primary 5. That is part of Primary school.
Primary 5 worksheetsAt 11, most children are in Primary 6. That is part of Primary school.
Primary 6 worksheetsAt 12, most children are in JSS 1. That is part of Junior Secondary School (JSS).
JSS 1 worksheetsAt 13, most children are in JSS 2. That is part of Junior Secondary School (JSS).
JSS 2 worksheetsAt 14, most children are in JSS 3. That is part of Junior Secondary School (JSS).
JSS 3 worksheetsAt 15, most children are in SS 1. That is part of Senior Secondary School (SS).
SS 1 worksheetsAt 16, most children are in SS 2. That is part of Senior Secondary School (SS).
SS 2 worksheetsAt 17, most children are in SS 3. That is part of Senior Secondary School (SS).
SS 3 worksheetsThe main exams children meet on the way through school.
National Common Entrance Examination
NECO runs the national Common Entrance for admission into the Federal Unity Colleges. State and private secondary schools also admit pupils through entrance examinations.
Basic Education Certificate Examination
The BECE marks the end of the nine years of basic education. Each state runs it for its own schools under NECO’s supervision, and NECO runs it directly for federal schools.
West African Senior School Certificate Examination
The main school-leaving certificate. English and Mathematics are compulsory, and students usually sit between seven and nine subjects.
Senior School Certificate Examination
NECO’s own school-leaving examination. Many students sit both WAEC and NECO in SS 3.
Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
The entrance examination for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Nigeria
Printable, playable on screen and marked instantly. Each class page has fresh sheets for every subject.
Curriculum
The curriculum for basic and senior secondary education is developed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). Our sheets are organised by class and age and cover the core skills children practise at each stage, such as number work, phonics, reading comprehension and handwriting.
Programmes, phonics and short explainers that work with any school system.
Step-by-step paths in maths and reading, with stars and progress.
Sounds, blending and decodable mini-books, one step at a time.
Short, clear explainers of school topics, with practice to match.
Quick checks, marked instantly, to see what your child knows.
Ready-to-teach plans that wrap fresh practice sheets.
Guides by age, weekly packs and your child's progress.
The Universal Basic Education Commission gives 6–11 as the primary school age, so Primary 1 usually starts at about 6, although many children start at 5.
JSS (Junior Secondary School, JSS 1–3) is the last part of the nine years of basic education and ends with the BECE. SSS (Senior Secondary School, SS 1–3) follows, and ends with the WASSCE and/or NECO SSCE.
NECO conducts the National Common Entrance Examination for admission into the Federal Government Unity Colleges. State and private schools use their own entrance examinations.
It has been proposed by the Federal Ministry of Education, together with ending the separation of JSS and SSS. When we last checked (October 2026) neither had been adopted, so the 6-3-3 structure on this page still applies.
Yes. Every class page has free sheets you can print, play on screen or write on with a finger or stylus. Some actions need a free account, and a few items marked Premium are part of a paid plan. There are no ads and no trackers.
We checked the facts on this page against these sources (last reviewed October 2026).