The Federal Government has announced fresh measures in the education sector, limiting graduation ceremonies in schools nationwide to only pupils and students in exit classes—Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3).
The move, according to the government, is intended to curb excessive celebrations in schools and ease the growing financial burden on parents.
The decision was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sa’idu. A press statement issued on Friday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, said the measures are part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector.
The statement explained that the ministers resolved to streamline graduation ceremonies in order to reduce unnecessary financial pressure on families, stressing that only pupils and students completing Primary 6, JSS3 and SSS3 are now permitted to hold such ceremonies.
Beyond graduation ceremonies, the Federal Government also introduced a new policy mandating the use of standardised, high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years. The policy is aimed at reducing education costs for parents while improving learning outcomes across schools nationwide.
According to the statement, the initiative strengthens quality assurance mechanisms and brings an end to the practice of frequent, cosmetic textbook revisions that compel families to buy new learning materials every academic session.
It added that the policy prioritises durable, standardised textbooks and expressly prohibits the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
Folasade noted that the reform would enable siblings to share textbooks, significantly reduce recurring education expenses for parents, minimise waste in the school system and support environmental sustainability.
“As part of broader sector reforms, they noted that the Federal Government has introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country,” the statement said.
The ministers further emphasised that the new policies will strengthen the assessment, quality assurance, selection and effective use of textbooks and instructional materials across Nigeria’s education system.
