The Federal Government has announced new guidelines limiting graduation ceremonies in schools across the country to only pupils and students in Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3). According to the government, the move is intended to rein in extravagant celebrations and reduce the financial pressure placed on parents. The policy was unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sa’idu. A statement issued on Friday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, said the decision forms part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s education sector and make schooling more affordable for families. Under the new directive, schools are no longer allowed to organise graduation ceremonies for classes outside Primary 6, JSS3 and SSS3, as part of measures to eliminate unnecessary expenses. In addition, the Federal Government has introduced a policy mandating the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years. The initiative aims to curb repeated spending on learning materials and improve the quality of education nationwide. The policy also ends the practice of frequent, superficial textbook revisions that force parents to buy new books every academic session and prohibits the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks. The ministry noted that the new textbook guidelines will enable siblings to share books, reduce waste in schools and support environmental sustainability, while significantly lowering recurring costs for parents. The ministers further disclosed that a uniform academic calendar has been introduced to ensure consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country, adding that the reforms strengthen quality assurance and improve the assessment and use of instructional materials nationwide.
