Ruth Semilore
The Ondo State government has abolished graduation ceremonies in nursery schools and Junior Secondary School III (JSS3) across the state as part of sweeping reforms to restructure the education sector.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, announced the decision on Wednesday, August 27, following a meeting with proprietors and owners of private schools from the state’s 18 local government areas.
He explained that the move was designed to regulate and sanitize school operations, stressing that the government was determined to restore the state’s education sector to its former standard.
“To reposition the education sector to its former enviable pedigree, the ministry has made some critical decisions to sanitize private school activities. Part of these decisions includes the prohibition of illegal and unregistered schools, the banning of graduation ceremonies for nursery and JSS3 classes, and the re-accreditation of all private schools for quality assurance,” Ajibefun said.
The commissioner highlighted the crucial role of private schools but noted that poor practices had crept into the system, necessitating urgent intervention. He urged schools to comply with ministry directives on the use of approved textbooks, adherence to the curriculum, observance of the school calendar, and respect for public holidays.
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Ajibefun gave unapproved schools a six-month grace period to secure government recognition, adding that registration processes would soon be reviewed to make them easier. He also cautioned against the use of foreign curricula, underage admissions, excursions without clearance, and compulsory extra lessons.
The commissioner criticised exploitative practices such as compelling parents to purchase new textbooks every year, insisting that siblings should be allowed to reuse books. He disclosed that plans were underway to digitise the state’s education system, with primary and secondary school students set to migrate to a digital learning platform.
Ajibefun warned that schools unable to meet the government’s minimum standards should consider “finding another business.”
