Following the decisions of Benue and Ondo States to ban basic and Junior Secondary School (JSS) graduation parties, the Ondo State Government has also joined the move, citing the financial burden on parents and guardians.
Press Office at the Ondo State Ministry of Education, Bisi Lawani, released a statement on Wednesday to communicate the decision of the government.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the ministry said Igbekele Ajibefun, the Commissioner for Education in the state, gave the directive during a stakeholder meeting with all proprietors and proprietresses in the state’s 18 Local Government Areas.
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 is set to re-accredit all private schools for quality assurance.
“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,” Ajibefun was quoted as saying.
The ban in Ondo state is coming after similar policy moves in Benue and Imo states.