Stakeholders condemn ‘sign-out’ excesses, back supervised school-organised activities
The growing trend of ‘sign-out’ celebrations among graduating secondary school students has continued to generate concern among education stakeholders, following its increasing disorderliness marked by indiscipline and immorality.
The practice, where graduating students signed on their uniforms or white shirts to commemorate graduation was originally intended as a dignified farewell.
It symbolised cherished memories, reflection on their educational journey, enduring friendships and academic accomplishments together.
Reacting in an interview with the news reporters on Saturday, the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) described the trend as an abuse of the school system.
The association advocated supervised group photography as a safer graduation activity instead.
The Chairman, NAPTAN Board of Trustees, Mr Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said: ‘’Some class sets go the extra mile to contribute money for parties extending beyond school premises.
‘’NAPTAN condemns ‘sign-out’; such forum leads the students to exposing themselves to alcohol, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, violence and other immoral practices unnecessarily.’’
Ogunbanjo said that many students celebrated lavishly, in spite of uncertainty over their West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and other examinations results.
He urged graduating students to prioritise academic success above fleeting excitement.
“What are they signing out? Sign-out should remain a modest school activity. Group photographs and supervised farewell ceremonies are enough.
‘’Anything beyond school premises exposes students to avoidable dangers and moral decline.”
“Students should focus on passing WASSCE and others before celebrating. Academic achievement deserves celebration, not extravagant parties organised before examination outcomes are even known,” he said.
Also, Mr Idollo Clement, Proprietor of a private school in Lagos, Derehoboth Schools, said the ‘sign out’ practice by graduating students was neither part of approved academic programmes nor recognised extracurricular activities.
Clement said it exposed female students to molestation, alcohol consumption, immoral behaviour, physical fights and, in some instances, vandalism of school property by participants.
‘’The practice is not recognised in our school because it exposes students to unnecessary risks and activities that contradict our values, discipline and educational objectives.
“Such gatherings create opportunities for violent clashes and destruction of school property, making them unacceptable within any responsible educational environment,” he said.
The proprietor urged parents to discourage their children from participating in sign-out celebrations, warning that such activities could result in avoidable embarrassment and unfortunate lifelong consequences.
He also advised school authorities to exercise caution, stressing that students should preserve their good records and leave school with dignity, honour and responsibility.
“Maintaining a good record remains more rewarding than engaging in activities capable of bringing unnecessary predicaments or regrets,” he said.
The Vice Principal (Academics), Grimes International College, Alagbado, Mr Elijah Akhabigimhe, said ‘sign-out’ celebrations should remain purposeful.
He said that the growing participation of graduating senior secondary school three students undermined the tradition’s original meaning and significance.
Akhabigimhe, said the school permitted supervised sign-out activities in the college.
‘’We do this by fixing dates, involving parents and deploying security personnel to prevent disruption, excesses, misconduct and other immoral behaviour.
‘’We neither ban nor wholly embrace sign-out. We regulate it and ensure every activity reflects discipline, safety, responsibility and meaningful celebration, ‘’ he said.
On her part, a teacher at Government Junior College, Agege, Mrs Rachael Olorundare, described the trend as inappropriate and potentially harmful.
Olorundare said that students were expected to remain under the school and parental guidance, while preparing for the next stage of their academics.
“The practice differs from university graduates’ ‘sign-out’ activities because secondary students are still under school guidance.
‘’Also, some celebrations have resulted in misconduct, vandalism, reckless behaviour and safety concerns,” Olorundare said.
She said that, while students wished to celebrate completing their examinations, such activities must be decent, supervised and align with the school’s code of conduct.
She stressed that safety and discipline remained priorities.
“Parents should monitor their children closely; schools must sensitise students on the dangers of unsafe celebrations, and students should avoid peer pressure or actions that may affect their future,” she advised.
A student, who simply gave his name as Ayo, told newsmen that the practice was common among students to create lasting memories after leaving secondary school.
‘’We use marker pen to sign or make remarks on our white polo shirts; we are parting and do not know when we will meet again.
‘’We permit the junior students to sign on our shirts because it shows how much you are liked and how well you relate with your mates and juniors, while in school.
“Although some students take it further by engaging in activities that are not proper, such excesses should be discouraged to maintain discipline and ensure the celebration remains respectful,” he said.
Newsmen recall that some states including Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, and Sokoto have prohibited end-of-examination activities, while Lagos state adopted regulations, targeting excessive parties, unruly behaviour, and promoting safety standards in schools.