The Ekiti State government has announced a ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils across public and private schools in the state.
The directive, which affects kindergarten, nursery, primary, and secondary levels, will take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.
The decision was communicated through a circular issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Mike Omolayo, on Thursday.
According to the circular, the policy aims to reduce undue financial strain on parents and address excesses often linked with such ceremonies.
“This new policy was introduced to lessen the financial burden on parents and curb the excesses associated with graduation events,” the circular stated.
Graduation ceremonies, once seen as a celebration of pupils’ academic progress, have in recent years become increasingly elaborate and costly.
Parents often face pressure to provide expensive outfits, souvenirs, and party contributions.
The state government says it wants to shift focus back to academic development rather than social display.
Moreover, the ban reflects the government’s broader push to make education more affordable and accessible for all families in Ekiti.
In addition to the graduation ban, the state also announced adjustments to its textbook review policy.
For primary schools, textbooks will now be reviewed once every six years.
For secondary schools, the review period has been changed from once in three years to once in four years.
Parents were further advised to encourage children to pass down textbooks to siblings, as long as the books remain in good condition.
“Parents and guardians are advised to reuse textbooks within their households where possible to reduce costs,” the circular added.
The ban has sparked discussions among teachers, parents, and school owners.
While some parents welcomed the decision, describing it as timely relief, others expressed concerns that the ceremonies provided motivation and a sense of achievement for pupils.
However, they agree that the move could ease financial burdens for struggling families.
Meanwhile, the state government maintains that its focus is on long-term educational improvement and sustainability, rather than one-day celebrations.
