Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has banned graduation parties for nursery and primary school pupils in the state.
The decision was contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the State Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary), Dr. Donatus Chukwuma Ilang.
According to the statement, graduation ceremonies will now be limited to students completing Basic Education (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School (SS3).
Other directives under the new education policy include the use of only government-approved textbooks, immediate closure of unapproved private and faith-based schools, compulsory presentation of First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) for admission into secondary schools, and enforcement of transfer certificate requirements.
The government also introduced a “fail and repeat” policy, banning promotions based on class positions beyond first, second and third, and ordered that students who fail promotion examinations must repeat their class.
Additionally, writing in textbooks has been prohibited to allow for reuse, while compulsory lessons have been banned unless formally agreed upon by parents and school managers. Entrepreneurship and skills acquisition subjects have also been made mandatory, with certificates to be awarded to students at JSS3 and SS3 levels.
Dr. Ilang directed all principals, head teachers and proprietors of private and faith-based schools to comply strictly with the new policy.
