The decision by some state governments in the Southwest to ban extravagant graduation ceremonies in elementary schools has sparked mixed reactions among education stakeholders, parents, and school proprietors.
Authorities in Ondo State said the move was aimed at easing financial pressure on parents, curbing exploitative practices by schools, and redirecting attention to academics. The Chairman of the Ondo State House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Kolawole Ologede, described the ban as timely.
“All these ceremonies are to siphon money from parents,” Ologede said. “As a lawmaker, I know how much I have paid to help constituents cover graduation expenses. It is surprising when parents say their children are graduating from kindergarten to nursery.”
In Osun, Commissioner for Education Dipo Eluwole said officials regularly monitor private schools to discourage excessive spending on end-of-year parties. “We also meet with the leadership of private schools and instruct them to moderate the fees they charge for such ceremonies,” he said.
However, the Vice-Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Osun, James Oluwole, clarified that the state had not outrightly banned graduations, stressing that schools were expected to keep celebrations modest.
Some school proprietors and parents opposed the ban, arguing that graduation ceremonies serve as motivation for pupils. Deborah Fakorede, Proprietress of Bright Track Nursery and Primary School in Ondo, said the ceremonies provide a platform to showcase pupils’ achievements. “The purpose is not to extort parents but to celebrate the children. Rather than a ban, government should regulate the practice,” she argued.
Similarly, Kunle Sijuade, Proprietor of Little Star Montessori School in Okitipupa, said the ban could “kill morale in the education system,” while Shola Mafimisebi, Proprietress of Hope and Favour School, described the events as a morale booster for pupils to pursue higher learning.
Education experts have also called for moderation rather than outright cancellation. Adebayo Obadiora, former Head of the Department of Arts and Science Education at Obafemi Awolowo University, urged school proprietors to avoid exploitative practices. “Graduations should be an opportunity to appreciate pupils, not exploit parents. Schools must moderate fees and avoid unnecessary expenses such as gowns,” he said.
Others supported the ban, citing economic relief. A parent, Segun Akinmorin, welcomed the decision, saying private schools often used graduation parties as “a conduit to collect unnecessary money.” Educationist Kolade Agboola in Ekiti added that the measure would “reduce financial pressure on parents and minimise unhealthy competition.”
Still, some teachers warned of possible downsides. Ekiti-based teacher Kemisola Ayeni said banning graduation ceremonies could affect pupils’ motivation and emotional growth. “These ceremonies help children transition emotionally to the next stage. Without them, pupils and families may miss out on important milestones,” she said.
Former education inspector Olufunke Olaniran suggested a middle ground, urging Parent-Teacher Associations and ministries to regulate costs. “Schools should prioritise certificates, handshakes, and words of encouragement over flashy gifts and decorations,” she said.
With opinions split, the debate underscores the tension between promoting academic focus and preserving traditions that many see as integral to celebrating children’s progress.
