The Ondo State Government has announced a ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and Junior Secondary School 3 students, warning that any private school found violating the directive will face stiff sanctions.
The development was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, at a stakeholders’ meeting with proprietors and proprietresses drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state.
In a statement issued by the Press Officer of the Ministry, Bisi Lawami, Ajibefun noted that the government is determined to return the state’s education sector to its enviable standard.
He urged operators of private schools to ensure full compliance with the Ministry’s rules by using only approved textbooks, sticking to the official curriculum and observing the school calendar.
“Schools operating illegally will have six months to regularize or face closure,” he warned.
The commissioner further frowned at the practice of admitting underage pupils, reliance on unapproved foreign curricula and exposing children to advanced learning materials beyond their level. He also stressed that excursions, compulsory extra lessons and graduation ceremonies for non-exit classes would no longer be tolerated.
As part of measures to ease financial pressure on parents, the government equally approved the reuse of textbooks in schools across the state.
About the Author
