The Ondo State Government has prohibited graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and Junior Secondary School 3 students, cautioning that private schools that flout the directive will face sanctions.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, announced the decision during a stakeholders’ meeting with school owners across the state’s 18 local government areas.
In a statement by the Ministry’s Press Officer, Bisi Lawami, Ajibefun said the policy is aimed at restoring the state’s education sector to its “enviable standard.”
He directed private schools to comply strictly with government regulations, including the use of approved textbooks, adherence to the official curriculum and observance of the school calendar.
“Schools operating illegally have six months to regularise their status or risk closure,” the commissioner warned.
Ajibefun also criticised practices such as admitting underage pupils, reliance on unapproved foreign curricula, and exposing children to advanced materials beyond their level.
He added that excursions, compulsory extra lessons and graduation events for non-exit classes would no longer be permitted.
To reduce financial burden on parents, the government further approved the reuse of textbooks in schools across the state.