Oyebanji bows to pressure, bans graduation ceremony for KG, Nursery, Secondary students

Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Government has banned the graduation ceremonies for pupils in kindergarten, nursery, primary, and secondary classes in public and private schools across the state.

The new policy, according to the authorities, was put in place to reduce undue financial pressure on parents and curb excesses associated with such ceremonies.

The ban, which is expected to take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session, is contained in a circular released by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Mike Omolayo.

According to the said circular, Ekiti State Government is still committed to once-in-six-years book review for Primary Schools, while that of the Secondary School level has been changed from once in three years to once in four years.

It added that parents and guardians are to note that siblings can pass textbooks to their younger ones as long as the books are in good condition.

This proclamation will no doubt send different signals to parents and private school owners as the state resumes for another academic calendar.

Last month, the National Orientation Agency, in a meeting with stakeholders across the state, called on the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to follow the footsteps of his Ondo State counterpart, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, by banning graduation ceremonies and the use of different books for each session.

The Director General of NOA, Mallam Issa-Onilu, argued that the purpose of the ceremonies has been defeated and that many school owners and proprietors have used the opportunity to milk parents and guardians.

Though some parents expressed gratitude to the state government for the new directive, they, however, faulted the delay in announcing the new circular, as most parents already bought the prescribed textbooks and other necessities before the circular was released.