The Federal Government has restricted graduation ceremonies in schools nationwide to pupils and students completing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3).
The Ministers of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sa’idu, announced the decision in Abuja as part of ongoing reforms aimed at curbing excessive celebrations and reducing the financial burden on parents.
A statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Boriowo Folasade, on Friday, said the policy was designed to streamline graduation activities across the education sector.
According to the statement, only pupils and students at the completion of Primary Six, JSS3 and SSS3 would henceforth be permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
“The ministers stated that graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to curb unnecessary financial pressure on parents,” the statement said.
The Federal Government also introduced a new policy on the use of standardised, high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years, in a bid to reduce recurrent education costs and improve learning outcomes in schools.
It said the policy would end the practice of frequent and cosmetic textbook revisions that compel parents to purchase new learning materials every academic session.
The statement added that the initiative prioritises durable and standardised textbooks, while prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
It noted that the policy would enable siblings to share textbooks, significantly reduce education-related expenses for families and minimise waste in the school system, thereby promoting environmental sustainability.
The ministers also disclosed that the Federal Government had introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country.
They emphasised that the reforms would strengthen assessment, quality assurance, selection and utilisation of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide.