The Osun State Ministry of Education has announced an immediate ban on graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils across public and private schools in the state.
The directive was contained in a circular issued on Friday, September 19, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, M.A.K. Jimoh.
The circular explained that the decision was informed by the rising concerns over the financial strain on parents, the commercialization of early childhood education, and the loss of instructional time associated with elaborate ceremonies.
While restricting the practice for lower classes, the Ministry clarified that only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) pupils are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies. The statement was, however, silent on whether Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) pupils are included in the approved categories.
“The Ministry of Education in Osun State is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students in the State. To achieve this goal, the Ministry has established guidelines for graduation ceremonies and textbook usage in public and private primary and secondary schools,” the statement read in part.
On textbook usage, the Ministry directed proprietors of faith-based and private schools to strictly follow the approved list of textbooks, which are to remain in use for three years. It further ordered schools to desist from using workbooks printed inside textbooks, so that books can be reused by siblings across sessions.
The Ministry warned that monitoring teams would be deployed for random checks, stating that any School that flouts the directive risks fines or outright suspension of registration.
As presented in the Circular: “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education that the practice of organizing elaborate graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils has become increasingly common.
“While we appreciate efforts to celebrate educational milestones, the current trend has raised serious concerns regarding the financial burden on parents, loss of valuable instructional time and the commercialization of early childhood education.
“The Ministry of Education in Osun State is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students in the State. To achieve this goal, the Ministry has established guidelines for Graduation ceremonies and textbook usage in public and private primary and secondary schools.
“Consequently, graduation ceremonies and parties are only permitted for:
“1. Primary 6 graduating pupils
“2. Senior secondary schools SSS3 students
“In view of the above, the Ministry of Education hereby bans all graduation ceremonies for Nursery and Kindergarten pupils, effective immediately.
“This policy aims to ensure that students, parents, guardians, and stakeholders and schools focus on the academic achievements of students at the end of their primary and secondary education cycles.
“secondary education cycles. Also to reduce significant financial expenditure which places undue pressure on families.
“To promote stability and consistency in education, proprietors of faith-based and private schools are required to adhere to the approved list of textbooks. These textbooks are designed to be used for a period of three years, allowing children (pupils and students) to use the textbook of their sibling for three consecutive years. In addition, using of workbook inside the textbook should stop henceforth to ensure that the textbook is not only for a session.
“All schools are expected to comply strictly with this directive. Monitoring teams will conduct random checks, and any school found violating this policy will face appropriate disciplinary measures, including fines or suspension of registration.
“We count on your full cooperation to uphold the integrity and purpose of education.”
