Ondo State Government has banned graduation parties for nursery and Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) students, citing the financial burden such ceremonies place on parents and guardians.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Press Officer of the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Bisi Lawani quoted the Ministry’s Commissioner, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, giving the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting with all proprietors and proprietress in the 18 Local Government Areas.
Prof. Ajibefun explained that the policy aims to reduce unnecessary expenses for parents and redirect focus to academic achievement at the end of primary and secondary school cycles.
He said the state government has also prohibited illegal and unregistered schools and set to re-accredit all private schools for quality assurance.
Ajibefun said: “It is obvious that things have gone bad in the education sector; there are urgent issues we need to address so that we can bring back the lost glory. My interactions start with private school owners because the private sector plays a critical role as you are major stakeholders in education business. It is more serious than any other business.”
He highlighted the need for strict compliance with Ministry directives, especially regarding the use of recommended textbooks, faithful adherence to the approved curriculum, and observance of the official school calendar and public holidays released by the Ministry.
The commissioner promised that the state would involve private schools in reviewing the curriculum for the state, collaborate on examination supervision, and streamline the approval and registration process for private schools to make the process less cumbersome. He also pledged support of the Ministry during difficult times.
Ajibefun noted that schools operating illegally in the state would be given a six-month grace period to get approval.
“When you run an unapproved school, you are running an illegal business. This administration will not allow illegalities, and that is the reason we are reviewing it. In the next couple of weeks, the new conditions will be rolled out. All private schools operating in the state must meet minimum standards.”
The commissioner also stated that Ondo State has banned unapproved and foreign curricula without clearance, as well as the use of advanced learning resources that do not match learners’ ages.
Equally, he frowned at underage admissions and admissions without clearance, transfer certificates, records, or transcripts.
Ajibefun stressed that the state would no longer tolerate schools organizing excursions without approval or clearance from the Ministry due to the state of security in the nation.
The commissioner advised private school owners to be circumspect on the issue of making extra lessons compulsory after normal classes.
Regarding the reuse of textbooks, the government has banned the exploitation of parents through purchase of new textbooks every year, stating that siblings of a particular pupil can continue to use the same textbook for a period of time.
The commissioner also mentioned that the process of digitizing all schools in the state is in progress, noting that all students in the state primary and secondary schools would soon be migrated to digital platform of the Ministry.
Fidelis David
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