Three states ban graduation parties for nursery and junior secondary schools

At least three states in Nigeria, Ondo, Benue, and Imo have placed a ban on graduation parties Edutimes Africa Reports especially for pupils in nursery and junior secondary schools, citing rising costs for parents and a need to refocus attention on academics.

In Ondo, the latest state to adopt the policy, Commissioner for Education Igbekele Ajibefun announced the ban during a stakeholder meeting with school proprietors across the state’s 18 local government areas. He said the measure was introduced to curb “unnecessary expenses” and ensure that only terminal classes — Primary 6 and Senior Secondary 3 — hold formal graduation ceremonies in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system.

Ajibefun added that Ondo would also clamp down on unregistered schools and begin a fresh re-accreditation of private institutions to restore quality in the sector. “It is obvious that things have gone bad in the education sector; there are urgent issues we need to address so that we can bring back the lost glory,” he said.

The wave of bans began earlier in August when Imo State’s education commissioner, Bernard Ikegwuoha, issued a memo directing that only final-year pupils should organise graduation ceremonies. Days later, Benue State followed suit, with its education ministry stressing that kindergarten, nursery, and lower-basic school parties were unnecessary and financially demanding for parents.

With three states now aligned on the policy, education experts say more governments may soon adopt similar restrictions to cut costs for families and redirect focus from pageantry to academic milestones.