The Ondo State Government has banned private schools from organizing graduation ceremonies for pupils in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools, as part of sweeping reforms to reposition the education sector.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, announced the measures during a meeting with proprietors and proprietresses of private schools across the state’s 18 local government areas in Akure.
He explained that the decision was aimed at sanitizing the sector, while ensuring that standards in private schools align with government policies.
Prof. Ajibefun outlined other directives, including a ban on unregistered and illegal schools, mandatory re-accreditation of all private schools for quality assurance, and strict regulation of excursions. According to him, schools must now obtain clearance from the Ministry of Education before organizing any trips, in view of the current security challenges in the country.
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The commissioner gave operators of illegal schools a six-month grace period to obtain approval, adding that conditions for registration would soon be reviewed to make the process easier.
On the controversial issue of compulsory extra lessons, Prof. Ajibefun cautioned private schools against exploiting parents, urging moderation and flexibility.
He also announced a ban on the yearly purchase of new textbooks, stressing that siblings of pupils should be able to use the same materials for a period of time to reduce financial pressure on parents.
Highlighting the government’s long-term vision, Ajibefun said plans are underway to digitize all primary and secondary schools in the state, noting that students would soon be migrated to the Ministry of Education’s digital platform.
He assured school owners of the government’s readiness to encourage and support private education through policies that balance regulation with growth.
NAN
