Benue govt bans graduation parties in basic schools

The Benue State Government has announced an immediate ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in kindergarten, nursery, and primary schools across the state.

Mrs Helen Nambativ, the Acting Commissioner of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi during an interaction with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

She cautioned that any school found violating the directive would face sanctions, including possible temporary closure.

According to Nambativ, the measure is part of a new education policy aimed at restoring discipline and sanity in the basic education sector. She explained that the directive, which takes effect immediately, is designed to reduce the financial burden on parents while re-focusing schools on academic excellence instead of social events.

Nambativ, who also doubles as the ministry’s permanent secretary, further warned that schools which ignore the policy during the 2025/2026 academic session risk losing their operating licenses. She added that a task force will be established to enforce compliance.

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NAN recalls that the ministry had earlier issued a memo on August 21, notifying schools of the Benue State government’s decision.

The memo stated that the policy was intended to ease financial pressure on parents and channel resources toward meaningful learning.

It read, “The unpopular use of restricted, customised education materials, such as text/exercise books in Benue State schools, making them non-transferrable to subsequent learners, is hereby abolished.

“All schools are by this notice directed to revert automatically to the traditional practice of senior students/pupils using and passing books down to pupils and students in lower classes.

“Compulsory and extended lessons after regular school hours cease, except where parental rights are sought and granted.

“All compulsory school graduation ceremonies in Benue State are hereby abolished, especially for kindergarten, nursery and basic schools.”

While reacting, a school proprietor in Makurdi, who requested anonymity, criticized the timing of the directive. He argued that schools should have been given at least a year to phase out already purchased books and adapt fully to the new guidelines.

Conversely, Mr James Bemgba, a parent, commended the initiative. According to him, “most schools force parents to pay for the graduation of kids who are less than three years old and also buy books unnecessarily.”