2025 Benue Prohibits Graduation Ceremonies for Primary, Nursery Schools

The Benue State Government has prohibited graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery, and primary schools across the state.

Acting Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs. Helen Nambativ, announced the policy in Makurdi on Tuesday, warning that defaulting schools risk sanctions, including temporary closure.

She explained that the ban, which takes immediate effect, is aimed at easing financial pressure on parents and refocusing attention on the academic development of children.

According to her, schools that fail to comply in the 2025/2026 academic session may lose approval to operate, as a task force will be set up for enforcement.

The policy also abolishes the compulsory purchase of customised books that cannot be reused by other pupils, while restoring the practice of passing textbooks down to junior students. In addition, extended lessons after school hours are no longer mandatory unless parents request them.

Reactions have been mixed. While some parents, like Mr. James Bemgba, welcomed the move for lifting financial burdens, school proprietors expressed concern about the abrupt implementation, with some calling for a one-year grace period to phase out already purchased materials.