The Osun State Ministry of Education has stopped schools from holding big graduation parties for nursery and kindergarten pupils in both public and private schools.
In a circular released on Friday, the ministry said the events put too much financial pressure on parents, waste teaching time, and turn education into business.
From now on, only pupils finishing Primary Six and SS3 will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies.
The ministry explained that the new rule will help families save money and keep the focus on children’s real academic achievements.
The circular also announced a new rule for private and faith-based schools on textbooks. Schools must now use only textbooks approved by the government, and each book must remain in use for at least three years.
The ministry also banned workbooks that are attached inside textbooks, so that the same book can be reused for several years, including by younger siblings.
Officials said they will send out monitoring teams to check schools. Any school that breaks the rule may face fines or even suspension of its operating license.
“All schools must follow this instruction. Anyone who disobeys will be punished,” the circular warned.
The ministry asked schools and parents to support the policy, saying it is meant to protect the quality and purpose of education in the state.