Ogun Goverment Bans Schools from Floating Extravagant Graduation Parties, Limits Celebrations to Milestone Classes
By: Olufemi Orunsola
The Ogun State Government has officially placed a ban on schools in the state from floating extravagant graduation ceremonies, limiting such celebrations to pupils completing only Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three, and Senior Secondary School Three.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the state government declared that the decision was aimed at curbing the rising culture of excesses often associated with graduation parties at other levels.
While speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the state’s preparedness for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The Education Commissioner explained that the directive became necessary to promote moderation and reduce the financial burden on parents.
According to him, “graduation ceremonies should be modest and reflect true academic milestones, rather than turning into lavish social events. He expressed concern that elaborate celebrations for nursery, kindergarten, or other non-transition classes had placed undue pressure on parents while diverting attention from the core essence of education”.
Similarly, the government directed that all schools must strictly adhere to a six-year cycle before effecting any change in textbooks.
Prof. Arigbabu maintained that no school is permitted to alter prescribed books until such materials have been in use for at least six successive academic years.
He further explained that the policy was introduced to ease the financial strain on parents, many of whom are compelled to buy new textbooks almost every session.
“Quality education does not depend on frequent textbook changes but on effective teaching and the proper use of available resources,” he noted, warning that schools that impose unnecessary book changes would face sanctions.
The commissioner assured that the ministry would monitor compliance closely, stressing that the policy aligns with the state’s broader reforms to make education affordable and impactful.
He urged parents, school administrators, and teachers to support the initiative, assuring them that the decision was in the best interest of both learners and families.
OTN News observes that critical stakeholders have in recent times, raised questions about the appropriacy of the new trend among schools, especially private schools, floating compulsory graduation parties at the end of virtually every academic sessions with many people lamenting that the trend puts unnecessary burdens on parents and guardians.
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