The graduation parties for pupils in kindergarten, nursery, and primary schools across Benue state have been abolished with immediate effect.
The abolition was contained in a memo by the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management on August 21, which was communicated to schools on the government’s decision on the matter.
The memo explained that the policy was aimed at easing financial pressure on parents while redirecting resources towards meaningful learning outcomes.
“All compulsory school graduation ceremonies in Benue State are hereby abolished, especially for kindergarten, nursery, and basic schools.
“The unpopular use of restricted, customized education materials, such as text/exercise books in Benue State schools, making them non-transferrable to subsequent learners, is hereby abolished.
“All schools are by this notice directed to revert automatically to the traditional practice of senior students/pupils using and passing books down to pupils and students in lower classes.
“Compulsory and extended lessons after regular school hours cease, except where parental rights are sought and granted,” It stated.
Meanwhile, the Acting State Commissioner of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Helen Nambativ, had warned that any school that disregards the directive risks sanctions, including temporary closure.
Nambativ, who also serves as the ministry’s permanent secretary, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday in Makurdi, said the state government has introduced the measure as part of a new education policy designed to bring discipline and sanity to the basic education sector.
“The directive, which took effect immediately, was meant to reduce unnecessary expenses on parents and re-focus schools on academic excellence rather than social events.
“Schools that flout the policy in the upcoming 2025/2026 academic session might lose their license to operate. A task force will be set up to ensure compliance,” Nambativ stressed.
Reacting to the development, Mr James Bemgba, a parent, welcomed the move and applauded the government for relieving parents of what he described as an unnecessary financial load.
“Most schools force parents to pay for the graduation of kids who are less than three years old and also buy books unnecessarily,” he said.
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