The Ogun State Government has officially banned graduation ceremonies for pupils in pre-basic and kindergarten classes across the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists on the state’s preparedness for the 2024/2025 academic session.
According to him, graduation ceremonies will now only be permitted for pupils completing **Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3).**
He explained that the move is designed to discourage the culture of excesses often associated with graduation events at other levels, which have placed undue financial pressure on parents. Instead, he emphasized that such ceremonies should be modest and tied strictly to genuine academic milestones.
Prof. Arigbabu noted that Ogun joins several states, including Imo, Edo, Ebonyi, and Benue, which have already introduced similar measures to curb exploitative practices by some schools and reduce unnecessary expenses.
In addition, the commissioner directed schools to maintain a six-year cycle before changing textbooks. He stressed that frequent textbook changes are not a measure of quality education, but rather effective teaching and proper use of available resources.
“Quality education does not depend on constant textbook changes but on teachers making the best use of what is available. This policy will help reduce the financial strain on parents who are forced to buy new books almost every session,” he stated.
Prof. Arigbabu assured parents, teachers, and school administrators that the policies were introduced in the best interest of learners and families, while warning that schools found violating the directives would face sanctions.
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