WorldStage– The Kogi State Government has placed a ban on graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary, and secondary schools, as well as signing-out ceremonies in tertiary institutions, both within and outside the state.
The State’s Commissioner of Education, Mr. Wemi Jones in an announcement said the decision is aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents, curbing social excesses linked to such celebrations, and promoting more meaningful ways of marking students’ achievements.
Speaking further on the development, he said: “In addition, the government has reintroduced the use of separate notebooks for classwork and assignments, thereby discouraging the practice of converting textbooks into workbooks.
“This policy will make textbooks reusable for siblings and other students, particularly in private schools where such practices have been more common. Parents are now required to provide notebooks for their children’s daily academic activities.
Announcing the reforms, Wemi Jones, emphasized that these measures form part of broader efforts to instill discipline, reduce undue pressure, and restore sanity to the education sector in Kogi State.
He noted that future student celebrations will be restructured to focus on academic competitions, excellence, and commitment, rather than on elaborate social events.
According to the Commissioner, the policies take effect immediately, beginning September 2025, and apply across both public and private schools in the state.
