Ondo Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Nursery, Primary and JSS Classes

The Ondo State Government has announced a ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in nursery and primary schools, as well as Junior Secondary School (JSS) students, as part of ongoing reforms to sanitize the education sector.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, made this known on Wednesday during a meeting with proprietors and proprietresses of private schools across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Ajibefun explained that the decision was aimed at curbing frivolous spending and redirecting focus towards critical academic milestones such as Primary 6 and Senior Secondary 3. He added that the government was determined to reposition the education sector and would continue to support private school owners with policies that encourage quality and sustainability.

“It is obvious that things have gone bad in the education sector; there are urgent issues we need to address to restore its lost glory. My interaction with private school owners is deliberate because you are critical stakeholders in the education business,” he said.

The commissioner further announced a six-month grace period for illegally operating schools to obtain proper approvals. According to him, schools that fail to meet the minimum standards after the grace period would be shut down, as running an unapproved school amounts to “running an illegal business.

Ajibefun stressed that the state would not tolerate any institution operating below the approved standards.