Osun Schools Yet to Comply with Government Directives

Some private schools in Osun State have not fully implemented the state government’s recent directives on textbook use and graduation ceremonies.

The Ministry of Education issued a circular on September 19 2025, signed by Permanent Secretary M. A. K. Jimoh, citing concerns over the financial burden on parents and the instructional time lost to elaborate school events. The policy restricts graduation ceremonies to pupils in Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3, excluding those in nursery and kindergarten.

Regarding textbooks, private and faith-based schools are required to use only approved titles, retain them for three years for siblings’ successive use, and eliminate embedded workbooks, in a bid to curb commercialisation in early childhood education.

Investigations have found that some schools have not complied. At a popular school in Owode-Ede, pupils reportedly continue to work inside textbooks despite the ban on this practice.

Responding, Osun State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dipo Eluwole, warned that sanctions will be applied to violators. “I want to urge our people to report any school that is not complying with the government directive. There is a stringent punishment for anyone apprehended not complying with the order,” he said.

Moshood Fadare, Chairman of the Osun State Parents’ Teachers Association (PTA), stated that the union will monitor compliance and report schools that fail to adhere to the regulations. “All private schools in the state are operating under the influence of the state government because they gave them approval to operate. Therefore, they must abide by all rules,” he added, urging parents to cooperate.

The government states that the measures aim to reduce costs for parents and ensure uniform standards in early childhood and basic education throughout the state.