By EMMANUEL ANSTWEN

The Benue Government has announced an immediate ban on graduation parties usually organised by kindergarten, nursery and basic schools in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Helen Nambativ, stated this in a memo, dated Thursday, Aug. 21, and addressed to stakeholders, parents and guardians in Makurdi.

According to the memo, cited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the decision will reduce financial burden on parents and redirect attention to the academic development of children.

The statement added that the policy would take effect from the first term of the 2025/26 academic session.

“The unpopular use of restricted, customised education materials, such as text/exercise books in Benue State schools, making them non transferrable to subsequent learners, is hereby abolished.

“All schools are by this notice directed to revert automatically to the traditional practice of senior students/pupils using and passing books down to pupils and students in lower classes.

“Compulsory and extended lessons after regular school hours ceases, except where parental rights are sought and granted.

“All compulsory school graduation ceremonies in Benue State are hereby abolished, especially for Kindergarten, Nursery and Basic Schools,” the statement added.

The permanent secretary further scheduled a meeting on August 26 to engage school proprietors, PTAs and concerned education stakeholders on the new development. (NAN)