By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government has issued new directive banning schools from holding graduation parties ceremonies for pupils in pre-Basic (kindergarten/Nursery) to Primary 6
While stating that the graduation ceremonies are exclusively reserved for students successfully completed basic Education (JSS3) and Senior Secondary(SS3).
The Commissioner for Education Dr. Donatus Chukwuma Ilang, who made the announcement on Thursday, noting that the following directives aims to enhance the quality education in the State and to reduce educational expensive, excess exploitation of money from parents .
In a press statement signed and issued by Commissioner for Education, the following directives as follows;
” Adoption of Unified Textbooks: All Schools Public approved and Private shall use government -approved textbooks for learning practices
” Closure of Unapproved Schools: Unapproved/Unqualified Faith-Based and Private Schools are closed with immediate effect. Parents are directed to transfer their wards to government -approved schools.
” Admission Requirements: First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) is a basic requirement for admission of students into Secondary School in the State, henceforth must be presented before admission.
” Implementation of Transfer Certificate Policy: Students seeking transfer must present a transfer certificate from their former school before admission.
“Fail and Repeat Policy: The State Government has banned grading based on position, recognizing only first, second and third position while others will be graded pass or fail. Therefore, student who fail promotion exams must repeat the class.
” Graduation Parties: Graduation ceremonies are exclusively reserved for Pupils and Students who have successfully completed basic education (JSS3) and Senior Secondary (S53). In view of the above, Pre-Basic (Kindergarten/Nursery) and Primary 6 are banned from holding graduation ceremonies forthwith.
“Textbooks Reuse Policy: All Ebonyi State government-approve unified textbooks will remain in use for 4 years before reviewing therefore, writing text or assignment inside textbooks is strictly prohibited. This is to enable younger siblings reuse them.
” Mandatory Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship: Ebonyi State government has introduced Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition Subject, in the school system. Henceforth, Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisitions are compulsory in all our Schools. Therefore, students of Basic Education and Senior Secondary SS3, must receive their Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Certificates upon Graduation.
” Prohibition of Compulsory Lessons: Ebonyi State government has banned Compulsory Lessons for Students and Pupils in all our schools across the State with immediate effect, except a former agreement is reached with Parents and Teachers or School Managers”
Commissioner warned that the government would not tolerate non compliance and while advise all parents, teachers, Principals and School Administrators to comply immediately, strictly with these policies as directed .
