THE Osun State government has banned graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils across public and private schools, warning that the elaborate events have become a financial burden on parents and a distraction from learning.
In a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, M. A. K. Jimoh, the state directed that graduation parties would be limited to pupils completing primary six and students finishing senior secondary school three (SSS3)
The state joins Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states that have taken similar action in recent weeks.
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education that the practice of organising elaborate graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils has become increasingly common,” the Osun State circular dated September 19 read.
The state government said the measure followed growing complaints that schools compel parents to pay for uniforms, souvenirs, and entertainment at early-childhood graduation parties, the costs it said many families could not afford.
The ministry added that the practice often consumed teaching time that should be devoted to core instruction.
Alongside the ban, the state introduced guidelines aimed at curbing the frequent change of school textbooks, particularly in faith-based and private schools.
It directed proprietors to adhere strictly to approved list of textbooks.
“The textbooks must be used for a period of three years to allow siblings to benefit from them consecutively, while the practice of inserting workbooks inside textbooks should stop with immediate effect.
“To promote stability and consistency in education, proprietors of faith-based and private schools are required to adhere to the approved list of textbooks,” the circular read.
The government warned that violation of the directives would attract fines or suspension of school licence.
The ICIR reports that Osun’s action adds to similar crackdowns already in force in some South-East and the South-West states.
According to reports, the Imo State government in August, prohibited graduation parties for nursery pupils and junior secondary school three students.
Commissioner for Education in the state, Bernard Ikegwuoha said only graduating primary six students and senior secondary school students would be permitted to hold such parties.
According to the commissioner, the new government policy was intended to reduce unnecessary expenses for parents.
It also noted that it would guide the parents to focus on their children’s academic achievement at the end of primary and secondary school cycles.
Similarly, the Ekiti State government prohibited graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils, lower-primary classes, and secondary schools, while directing all schools to use only an approved list of textbooks for at least three academic years to ease costs for families.
The policy, set to take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session, was announced in a circular signed by the Ministry of Education’s Permanent Secretary, Mike Omolayo
According to the circular, the measures aim to reduce what the government described as undue financial pressure on parents and to rein in the extravagance often associated with graduation parties organised by schools.
Similarly, on August 38, the Ondo State government banned graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and junior secondary school (JSS) 3 students while also prohibiting the practice of compelling parents to buy new textbooks every academic session.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M