The Ebonyi State Government has outlawed graduation ceremonies in all nursery, primary, and secondary schools, insisting that such events will now be limited to students completing Junior Secondary School (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School (SS3).
The Commissioner for Education, Mr. Donatus Ilang, announced the reforms, explaining that the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) has been made a compulsory requirement for admission into secondary schools across the state.
Ilang also disclosed that writing assignments or notes in textbooks has been prohibited to allow younger siblings reuse them, thereby reducing financial burdens on parents. He added that both public and private schools must henceforth adopt only government-approved textbooks.
“All parents are directed to transfer their children to approved schools without delay. To enable re-use by siblings, students must not write in textbooks,” he said.
Other reforms include the abolition of student ranking beyond third position, with only first, second, and third places recognized, while others will be graded “pass” or “fail.” Compulsory lessons were also cancelled, leaving such arrangements to agreements between schools and parents.
The commissioner emphasized that transfer students must present authentic transfer certificates before being admitted into new schools.
He explained that the decisions align with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda and the state’s broader educational reform policy.
“These reforms are designed to improve the quality of education in Ebonyi State and ensure our children are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for the future,” Ilang stated.
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