Several States Ban Nursery and Junior School Graduation Ceremonies
In recent weeks, several states across Nigeria have taken decisive steps to reform their education systems by banning graduation ceremonies in nursery, kindergarten, and junior classes, as well as curbing exploitative practices that place undue financial burdens on parents.
In Ondo State, the government outlawed graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and JSS3 students, stressing that such celebrations should be reserved only for Primary Six and SS3, the officially recognised exit points in the school system.
The state also prohibited schools from forcing parents to buy new textbooks every academic session, noting that siblings should be allowed to reuse instructional materials. The government is also working toward digitising learning in public schools to improve access, accountability, and quality education.
Similarly, Kogi State announced a total ban on graduation ceremonies in basic and secondary schools, as well as signing-out celebrations in tertiary institutions. The government cited the social vices and financial pressure associated with the ceremonies as reasons for the prohibition.
New policies were also introduced, including stopping the use of textbooks as workbooks, ensuring students progress without skipping grades, and making mock exams a prerequisite for WAEC registration.
In Ebonyi State, authorities banned graduation ceremonies in pre-basic, nursery, and primary schools, limiting them to JSS3 and SS3. The government also directed schools to adopt unified, government-approved textbooks to ensure uniformity, with a minimum usage period of four years.
Writing assignments in textbooks was outlawed to allow reuse, and unapproved schools were immediately shut down. Further reforms introduced a compulsory Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition subject, and compulsory extra lessons were also prohibited unless agreed upon by parents and administrators.
Anambra State followed suit, banning the writing of assignments in textbooks and outlawing graduation parties in nursery and primary schools. The Commissioner for Education emphasised that textbooks must be inclusive and reusable, while ceremonies should not become platforms for exploitation.
The reforms were designed to ease the financial pressure on families while ensuring that education remains accessible and equitable.
Across these states, a clear message is being passed: the focus of education must return to learning, equity, and sustainability rather than unnecessary ceremonies and financial exploitation.
These reforms align closely with the Child’s Right to Free, Quality, and Equitable Education, which mandates that children should not be denied education due to financial barriers or commercialised practices. Every child has the right to learn in a system that has their best interest, eases parental burden, and equips them with the skills to thrive.
