The ban on graduation ceremonies in nursery, primary and junior secondary schools in some Nigerian states has divided opinion among education stakeholders and parents.
In Oyo, Ogun and Kwara, teachers’ unions and parents offered contrasting views in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Oyo NUT chairman Raji Oladimeji said the ban was aimed at stopping schools from imposing levies on parents, but warned against scrapping the events altogether. “Graduation ceremonies can inspire seriousness toward education,” he said.
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools argued the ban was misplaced. Its secretary, Dr Kayode Adeyemi, said: “The rush to ban what parents consider a source of joy does nothing to address the pressing issues of survival.”
However, in Ogun state, NUT secretary Samson Oyeleye insisted graduation should only follow formal certification, describing the practice in lower classes as “policy derailing” and a means of exploiting parents.
Several parents in Kwara welcomed the ban, calling the ceremonies “a waste of resources” and urging Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq to implement it. States including Edo, Ondo and Imo have already outlawed the events, citing financial pressure on households.
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