The Benue State Government has placed an immediate ban on graduation parties for pupils in kindergarten, nursery, and primary schools across the state.
Mrs Helen Nambativ, the Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.
She warned that any school that disregards the directive risks sanctions, including temporary closure.
According to her, the state government has introduced the measure as part of a new education policy designed to bring discipline and sanity to the basic education sector.
She stressed that the directive, which took effect immediately, was meant to reduce unnecessary expenses on parents and re-focus schools on academic excellence rather than social events.
Nambativ, who also serves as the ministry’s permanent secretary, added that schools which flout the policy in the upcoming 2025/2026 academic session might lose their license to operate. She further revealed that a task force will be set up to ensure compliance.
A memo issued on August 21 by the ministry had already communicated the government’s decision to schools.
The memo explained that the policy was aimed at easing financial pressure on parents while redirecting resources towards meaningful learning outcomes.
It stated: “The unpopular use of restricted, customised education materials, such as text/exercise books in Benue State schools, making them non-transferrable to subsequent learners, is hereby abolished.
“All schools are by this notice directed to revert automatically to the traditional practice of senior students/pupils using and passing books down to pupils and students in lower classes.
“Compulsory and extended lessons after regular school hours cease, except where parental rights are sought and granted.
“All compulsory school graduation ceremonies in Benue State are hereby abolished, especially for kindergarten, nursery and basic schools.”
