Ogun bans graduation ceremonies for non-terminal classes

The Ogun State government has ordered all public and private schools in the state to stop holding graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties, citing the financial burden such events place on parents and guardians.

This was made known in a circular issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, signed by Akeem Bisiriyu,  the director of Education (private schools), and dated June 17, and addressed to all school administrators, the circular demanded immediate compliance and warned that defaulters would be sanctioned.

The ministry said the directive followed complaints that some school operators were exploiting graduation and end-of-session events to extort money from parents.

“It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry that some administrators of both public and non-state (private) schools have started extorting parents/guardians under the disguise of organising graduation/end-of-session parties for learners,” the circular stated.

The government said such practices would no longer be tolerated.

“The State Government frowns at organising graduation/end of session party ceremony in all classes in both public and non-state (private) schools in the State. Hence, no school owner should organise such gatherings forthwith,” it added.

School administrators have also been instructed to communicate the policy widely to parents and other stakeholders to ensure compliance.

Ogun joins a growing list of states cracking down on the practice. Kogi State has reaffirmed its ban on elaborate graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, threatening to shut down defaulting institutions.

The state has also maintained its prohibition on sign-out ceremonies for graduating undergraduates, with Wemi Jones, the commissioner for education citing the need to ease financial pressure on parents.

Benue, Ondo, Osun, and Imo states have introduced similar measures restricting or regulating graduation-related events in basic and secondary schools.

The Ogun government said schools found flouting its directive would face sanctions under existing regulations.