The Ogun State Government has taken a significant step by banning graduation ceremonies for kindergarten and nursery school students throughout the state.
This announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, during a press briefing on the readiness for the upcoming 2024/2025 academic session.
Prof. Arigbabu stated that graduation celebrations will now be exclusively permitted for students completing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3).
This initiative aligns with similar bans instituted by several other states, including Imo, Edo, Ebonyi, and Benue, which aim to alleviate financial burdens on parents and curtail exploitative practices among some school proprietors.
The commissioner emphasized that this decision seeks to discourage the culture of excess commonly associated with graduation events at other educational levels. He noted that such ceremonies should reflect genuine academic achievements rather than devolving into lavish social events. He pointed out that extravagant parties for kindergarten and nursery classes not only impose added financial stress on parents but also distract from core educational values.
In addition, Prof. Arigbabu announced a directive for schools to adhere to a six-year cycle before making any changes to their textbook lists. He stressed that no school is allowed to modify its booklist until the current textbooks have been in use for at least six academic years.
”Quality education does not hinge on frequent changes in textbooks but relies on effective teaching and the proper utilization of available resources,” he stated. This policy aims to alleviate the financial strain on parents, many of whom face the burden of purchasing new textbooks each academic session.
The commissioner assured parents, teachers, and school administrators that this decision serves the best interests of students and their families, urging all stakeholders to support this initiative. Additionally, he warned that schools failing to comply with the new guidelines would face sanctions.
