The Ondo State Government has placed a ban on elaborate graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and Junior Secondary School (JSS) students as part of sweeping reforms to sanitize the education sector.
The ban, announced during a stakeholders’ meeting with private school owners across the 18 local government areas, is aimed at curbing excesses and restoring standards in the system.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, who disclosed this at the meeting, said the decision became necessary to redirect attention from frivolous spending and activities that undermine academic focus.
“Ondo State has to step in to ban elaborate graduation ceremonies, especially for nursery and JSS classes,” Ajibefun said, stressing that such ceremonies are unnecessary for non-exit classes.
The Commissioner also announced other key measures, including the re-accreditation of all private schools, prohibition of unregistered schools, enforcement of the use of approved curriculum, and strict compliance with the official school calendar and public holidays.
He warned against underage admissions, use of unapproved or foreign curricula, and unauthorized excursions, adding that security concerns necessitated the clearance of all trips by the Ministry.
Ajibefun noted that illegal schools would be given a six-month grace period to obtain approval, even as the government reviews conditions for registration to make the process less cumbersome.
On the reuse of textbooks, the Commissioner said schools must stop compelling parents to buy new books every session, emphasizing that siblings of a pupil should be allowed to use the same textbooks over time.
He further disclosed that the state is working on digitizing all primary and secondary schools to enhance learning and streamline operations.
Ajibefun maintained that the government would not compromise on minimum standards, warning that any school unable to meet basic requirements “should find another business.”
The meeting afforded private school proprietors an opportunity to commend the government’s reforms, while also appealing for more time to meet accreditation requirements and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks in dealings with the Ministry.
