Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration has abolished graduation parties for pupils in nursery and basic classes including those in the Junior Secondary School (JSS) III in the state. 

The ban, which applies to both public and private schools, was part of the reforms in the education sector of the state. 

The state commissioner for education, science and technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, stated this on Wednesday after a stakeholders’ meeting with proprietors, proprietresses, and private school owners in 18 Local Government Areas of the state. 

Mr Ajibefun said the development was aimed at repositioning the education sector, adding that it was also a deliberate step to caution private school owners through different policies.

He said, “To reposition the education sector of the state to its former enviable pedigree, the Ondo State Ministry of Education has made some critical decisions to sanitize private school operations and activities in the state. Part of these decisions includes the prohibition of illegal and unregistered schools, the banning of graduation ceremonies for nursery schools and JSS 3 classes, and the re-accreditation of all private schools for quality assurance. 

“My interactions start with private school owners because the private sector plays a critical role as you are major stakeholders in the education business. It is more serious than any other business. It is obvious that things have gone bad in the education sector; there are urgent issues we need to address so that we can bring back the lost glory.”

The commissioner said the state must build on its gains, and stakeholders must work together to address some areas of concern.

Mr Ajibefun noted that schools operating illegally in the state would be given a six-month grace period to get approval. 

He stated, “When you run an unapproved school, you are running an illegal business. This administration will not allow illegalities, and that is the reason we are reviewing it. In the next couple of weeks, the new conditions will be rolled out.” 

Mr Ajibefun also said that the state would no longer tolerate schools organising excursions without approval or clearance from the ministry due to the state of security in the nation.

The commissioner advised private school owners to be circumspect on making extra lessons compulsory after normal classes.

On the reuse of textbooks, the government warned against exploitation of parents through purchase of new textbooks every year, stating that siblings of a particular pupil can continue to use the same textbook for a period.