The Ogun State Government has directed all public and private schools in the state to immediately discontinue graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties, citing concerns over the financial burden such events impose on parents and guardians.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by the Director of Education (Private Schools), A.A. Bisiriyu.
Addressed to administrators of public and private schools across the state, the circular ordered immediate compliance and warned that any school found violating the directive would face appropriate sanctions.
According to the ministry, the decision followed reports that some school proprietors and administrators had turned graduation and end-of-session celebrations into avenues for imposing excessive financial demands on 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 it would no longer tolerate the practice, stressing that schools should focus on their core educational responsibilities rather than organising elaborate ceremonies that place additional pressure on families.
“Therefore, it is pertinent to state that the State Government frowns at organising graduation/end-of-session party ceremonies in all classes in both public and non-state (private) schools in the state. Hence, no school owner should organise such gatherings forthwith,” the ministry said.
The circular further directed school administrators to ensure that the directive is communicated to parents, guardians and other relevant stakeholders to guarantee full compliance.
The latest move places Ogun among a growing number of states taking steps to regulate or prohibit graduation ceremonies in basic and secondary schools.
Earlier this week, the Kogi State Government announced a similar ban on graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary and junior secondary schools, warning that any school found violating the directive could face closure.
Other states, including Benue, Ondo, Osun and Imo, have at various times introduced measures aimed at curbing excessive spending associated with school graduation ceremonies and related celebrations.
Education authorities in Ogun maintained that the directive is intended to protect parents from unnecessary financial obligations and ensure that educational activities remain affordable and accessible.
The government reiterated that any school that fails to comply with the directive will be sanctioned in accordance with existing regulations governing the education sector in the state.
