The Ogun State Government has outlawed graduation ceremonies and end-of-session celebrations in both public and private schools across the state, citing concerns over the growing financial burden such events impose on parents and guardians.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by the Director of Education (Private Schools), A.A. Bisiriyu.
Addressed to proprietors and administrators of schools throughout the state, the circular ordered immediate compliance and warned that any institution found violating the directive would face sanctions.
According to the ministry, the decision followed complaints that some schools had turned graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties into avenues for imposing excessive charges on parents.
“It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry that some administrators of both public and non-state (private) schools have started extorting parents/guardians under the disguise of organising graduation/end-of-session parties for learners,” the circular stated.
The government stressed that the practice was inconsistent with its educational policy objectives and would no longer be tolerated.
“Therefore, it is pertinent to state that, the State Government frowns at organising Graduation/End of Session Party ceremony in all classes in both Public and Non-State (Private) schools in the State. Hence, no school owner should organise such gatherings forthwith,” it added.
School authorities were also directed to ensure that parents, guardians and other stakeholders are adequately informed of the new policy to guarantee strict adherence.
The development places Ogun among a growing number of states taking steps to regulate school celebrations and related expenses. Similar measures have been introduced in several parts of the country, including Kogi State, where authorities have maintained restrictions on elaborate graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary and junior secondary schools.
The Kogi State Government has also upheld its ban on sign-out ceremonies by graduating students, arguing that such events often place unnecessary financial pressure on families.
Comparable restrictions have been implemented in states such as Benue, Ondo, Osun and Imo, where governments have sought to curb what they describe as excessive and costly graduation-related activities within the education sector.
The Ogun State Government reiterated that schools are expected to comply fully with the directive, warning that institutions that disregard the order would be dealt with in line with existing regulations.
(Ripples)