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The Ondo State Ministry of Education has announced the baning of graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and students of Junior secondary school.
It also prohibited the sessional changes of text books which prevents them from being reused by other students.
The ban was made know at a meeting with private school owners in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state in Akure.
Speaking at the meeting, the Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, noted that things had gone bad in the education sector in the state as the state government needed to reposition the sector by taking deliberate steps to encourage and support private school owners through different policies.
He highlighted the need for strict compliance with Ministry directives, especially regarding the use of recommended textbooks, faithful adherence to the approved curriculum, and observance of the official school calendar and public holidays released by the Ministry.
He said private schools operating without approval will no longer be tolerated, saying a six-month grace period had been granted to them to address the issues.
“When you run an unapproved school, you are running an illegal business. This administration will not allow illegalities, and that is the reason we are reviewing it,” said Mr Ajibefun.
“In the next couple of weeks, the new conditions will be rolled out. All private schools operating in the state must meet minimum standards”
On the reuse of textbooks, he said a ban has been placed on the exploitation of parents through purchase of new textbooks every year, stating that siblings of a particular pupil can continue to use the same textbook for a period of time.
The commissioner also stated that Ondo State has banned unapproved and foreign curricula without clearance, as well as the use of advanced learning resources that do not match learners’ ages.
He also frowned at underage admissions and admissions without clearance, transfer certificates, records, or transcripts.
Mr Ajibefun.also said the state would no longer tolerate schools organizing excursions without approval or clearance from the Ministry due to the state of security in the nation.
The commissioner advised private school owners to be circumspect on the issue of making extra lessons compulsory after normal classes.
The commissioner also mentioned that the process of digitizing all schools in the state is in progress, noting that all students in the state primary and secondary schools would soon be migrated to digital platform of the Ministry of Education.
He warned that the state would not go below the minimum standard, saying that any school that cannot meet the “irreducible minimum” should find another business.
The private school owners appreciated the commissioner and the state government for the intervention, but pleaded for more time for the accreditation of schools and also advised the government to reduce bureaucracy in dealing with private schools in the state.
Edo, Benue and Imo States had earlier respectively issued a ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery and Junior secondary schools
The ban had been received with mixed feelings as parents had complained of the financial implications of such ceremonies.
However, fun seeking pupils are wary of missing the euphoria which attends the ceremonies.