By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has banned sign-out and graduation ceremonies across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the state.
Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, announced the decision during a stakeholders’ meeting, saying the practice had become economically burdensome for parents and was often associated with social vices.
He explained that speech and prize-giving days would now replace annual graduation ceremonies in primary and secondary schools, while graduation would only be permitted after Senior Secondary School 3 examinations if necessary.
The government also outlawed the use of textbooks converted into workbooks. Instead, parents are required to provide notebooks for assignments, making textbooks reusable for siblings.
Jones cautioned that strict enforcement of the state’s education law, enacted in 2020, would begin in earnest. He warned private schools against bypassing the state-organised mock examinations, stressing that writing the mock is now mandatory before sitting for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.
“The government is committed to reducing out-of-school children, improving quality education, and easing financial burdens on parents,” he stated, urging cooperation from stakeholders.
He added that the state was working to return education to its “good old days,” with renewed emphasis on discipline, ICT, and improved standards.
