The Niger State Private Schools Board has banned graduation ceremonies in all private schools across the state with immediate effect.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Information Services at the Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr Yunusa Ibrahim, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.
According to Ibrahim, private schools are now required to replace graduation ceremonies with Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremonies as the official platform for celebrating learners and recognising academic excellence, exemplary conduct, leadership and other outstanding achievements.
He said the directive is binding on all private school proprietors, administrators, management teams, parents, guardians and other stakeholders in the state’s private education sector.
Ibrahim explained that the policy was introduced to ensure uniformity in end-of-session activities, preserve the educational value of school celebrations, strengthen regulation of private schools and discourage extravagant events.
He added that the move is also intended to encourage schools to place greater emphasis on academic achievement and character development rather than lavish ceremonies.
The ministry, however, clarified that schools are not prohibited from celebrating pupils and students or recognising their accomplishments.
According to Ibrahim, Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremonies remain appropriate occasions for presenting prizes and certificates, rewarding academic excellence, honouring exemplary behaviour and leadership, and showcasing the achievements of learners.
“Graduation ceremonies in some private schools have become increasingly elaborate and expensive in recent years, resulting in high financial demands on parents and guardians, and unnecessary competition among schools.
“This is a shift from the educational purpose of end-of-session activities and has led to the commercialisation of school celebrations,” he said.
He disclosed that the Private Schools Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Orientation and other relevant stakeholders, would begin public enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns across the state to ensure widespread understanding and compliance with the directive.
Ibrahim reaffirmed the Niger State Government’s commitment to improving the quality of education, protecting the interests of learners and parents, and ensuring that school activities conform to acceptable educational standards and best practices.
He urged all stakeholders to support the implementation of the policy in the interest of discipline, standardisation and excellence in the state’s private education sector.
source: NAN
