Several state governments across Nigeria have tightened or completely stopped graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, as part of efforts to curb rising costs and regulate school-related celebrations. The policy has continued to divide opinion among education stakeholders.

While some teachers and parents say graduation ceremonies help children mark important academic milestones and build motivation, others argue that the events have become too expensive and now place unnecessary financial pressure on families.

Graduation ceremonies, which were once simple school events, have increasingly become more elaborate in many schools, prompting government concern over affordability and commercialisation.

At the federal level, the Federal Government had earlier banned graduation ceremonies for nursery, kindergarten, and other pre-primary pupils across the country.

The policy, announced on January 9, also introduced a new directive requiring the use of “high-quality” textbooks expected to last between four and six years.

Following this, several states have adopted similar measures aimed at basic education schools.

In Benue, Ondo, Osun, and Imo states, authorities have taken steps to limit what they describe as excessive celebrations around graduation. Other states have gone further by issuing strict enforcement directives.

In Ogun State, the government ordered both public and private schools to stop graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties, citing concerns over financial pressure on parents and guardians. The directive was contained in a circular signed by A.A. Bisiriyu, Director of Education, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and sent to school administrators.

Kogi State also reaffirmed its ban on what it described as excessive graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, warning that schools that fail to comply risk closure.

The state also extended the restriction to sign-out ceremonies by graduating undergraduates. According to the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, the move is aimed at reducing financial pressure on parents.

Other states where similar restrictions have been reported include Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Niger, Ebonyi, and Abia, among others, as governments continue efforts to regulate school ceremonies and reduce avoidable expenses in the education sector. (TRIBUNE)

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