The Abia State Government has officially placed a ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery and lower primary classes. According to the government, only pupils completing Primary 6 and SS3 will be allowed to hold graduation events.
This decision, announced by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, was made after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti. The move is aimed at easing the growing financial pressure on parents, who are often compelled to spend heavily on such ceremonies.
Why the Ban?
Abia’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, explained that young children in nursery and lower classes do not necessarily need graduation ceremonies. These celebrations, he said, had turned into unnecessary financial burdens for families.
Other Key Measures in the Education Sector
In addition to the ban, the state introduced several reforms:
-
Textbooks and Workbooks Separated:
Textbooks can now be reused by younger siblings, while workbooks remain personalized for each child. -
Affordable Certificates:
Schools are now required to charge no more than ₦2,000 for Primary 6 certificates. -
Mandatory Collection of Certificates:
Parents must collect their children’s First School Leaving Certificates (FSLC). Many schools reported these certificates were often abandoned. -
Strict Promotion Policy:
Students must present their basic education certificate when enrolling for WAEC, NECO, or JAMB.
Additionally, no student will move into SS3 without passing a state-organized promotion exam at the SS2 level.
What This Means for Parents and Schools
These changes are designed to reduce unnecessary expenses for parents, ensure proper academic tracking for students, and maintain a standard across both public and private schools in Abia State.
Jamflash Insight:
This reform signals a major shift in how schools in Nigeria should prioritize academic milestones. Instead of spending on lavish ceremonies at every stage, families are encouraged to focus resources on their children’s educational growth and critical transition points.
Stay updated with more education and lifestyle news on Jamflash—your trusted source for trending stories in Nigeria.
