Abia State Government Bans Nursery and Lower Primary Graduation Ceremonies, Restricts School Transfers in SS2
Abia State Government has banned nursery and lower primary graduation ceremonies, separated textbooks from workbooks, and introduced strict rules for SS2–SS3 transfers to reduce costs and curb exam malpractice.
The Abia State Government has introduced sweeping reforms in the education sector, targeting unnecessary financial burdens on parents and tightening accountability in schools across the state.
The new policies were announced after this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia. Speaking to journalists, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed that graduation ceremonies will now be limited to terminal classes (Primary 6 and SS3) in both public and private schools.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, explained that hosting graduation parties for nursery and lower primary pupils was wasteful and placed undue pressure on parents. He emphasized that such ceremonies should be reserved for genuine milestones at the end of primary and secondary education.
Key Reforms Announced
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Graduation Ceremonies Restricted: Only Primary 6 and SS3 pupils will hold graduation events in schools.
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Textbooks and Workbooks Separated: To cut costs, textbooks will now be distinct from workbooks, allowing younger siblings to reuse textbooks.
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Basic Education Certificates: Parents are urged to collect First School Leaving Certificates for their children. Schools are prohibited from charging more than ₦2,000 for the Primary 6 certificate.
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Mandatory Certificates for Exams: Candidates enrolling for WAEC, NECO, or JAMB must present their basic education certificates.
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State Promotion Exam for SS2 Students: No student will progress to SS3 without passing a compulsory state-organized exam. Both public and private schools must participate.
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Ban on Switching Schools in SS2–SS3: Students will no longer be allowed to transfer schools at this level to curb examination malpractice and enforce accountability.
Ubochi described the measures as necessary steps to protect parents’ finances, promote integrity, and raise the standard of education in Abia.
“These policies are not punitive but corrective. They are designed to ensure discipline, reduce the financial pressure on parents, and protect the credibility of our education system,” the Commissioner stated.
The reforms have sparked conversations among parents, teachers, and education stakeholders, with many praising the government’s focus on accountability, while others are calling for adequate monitoring to ensure full compliance across schools.
