The Abia State Government has issued a fresh warning to public and private schools against the collection of unauthorised graduation levies from pupils and students, declaring that any institution found violating the state’s directive will face sanctions in accordance with the law.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the increasing practice of schools organising graduation ceremonies for non-terminal classes and compelling parents to pay various fees, a trend education stakeholders have described as placing unnecessary financial pressure on families.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Duru Marvellous, on behalf of the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi.
According to the commissioner, the state government recognises graduation ceremonies only for Primary Six and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3), being the terminal classes in the basic and senior secondary education system.
He stressed that any graduation ceremony organised for pupils or students in non-terminal classes and accompanied by compulsory financial contributions remains illegal and must stop immediately.
“The Abia State Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, wishes to remind the general public that graduation ceremonies are recognised only for Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School Three (SS3), being the terminal classes in the Basic and Senior Secondary Education cycles,” Ubochi stated.
He added that “any graduation ceremony organised for non-terminal classes that attracts compulsory payment is not approved and must cease forthwith.”
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry had continued to receive complaints that some public and private schools were still imposing unauthorised graduation fees on parents despite the government’s earlier prohibition.
According to him, the reports indicated that some schools had introduced compulsory levies for pupils in classes that were not recognised as terminal levels, a practice the government described as unacceptable.
To enforce compliance, the state government directed the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to immediately intensify monitoring and inspection across schools in Abia State.
The commissioner warned that any school found collecting illegal graduation levies or organising unauthorised graduation ceremonies would be sanctioned in line with existing education regulations.
He reiterated that “no public or private school shall collect graduation levies or graduation fees from pupils or students in any class other than Primary 6 and SS3.”
Ubochi urged parents, guardians, school proprietors and education stakeholders to support the government’s efforts by ensuring strict compliance with the directive.
He also encouraged members of the public to report any school found violating the policy to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for prompt investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the government’s renewed enforcement measures, noting that many schools across the country have increasingly commercialised graduation ceremonies by introducing multiple compulsory charges for pupils in nursery, kindergarten, primary and junior secondary classes.
They argued that while celebrating pupils’ academic progress is commendable, such ceremonies should not become avenues for imposing unnecessary financial burdens on parents, particularly amid prevailing economic challenges.
According to education experts, the proliferation of graduations for non-terminal classes has contributed to rising education costs, with some parents compelled to pay for graduation gowns, souvenirs, entertainment, photographs and other charges before their children are allowed to participate in school ceremonies.
The stakeholders further called on other state governments to review similar practices within their jurisdictions and develop policies that protect parents from exploitative charges while ensuring that schools maintain academic standards and ethical administrative practices.
They also urged school proprietors to prioritise investments in teaching, learning materials and school infrastructure rather than placing undue emphasis on elaborate graduation ceremonies.
The latest directive by the Abia State Government is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight of schools across the state while reinforcing efforts to promote affordable, child-centred and quality basic education free from unnecessary financial exploitation.
