Federal Government Limits School Graduation Ceremonies To Primary 6, JSS3, SSS3 Only

The Federal Government has restricted graduation ceremonies in schools across the country to only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3).

The government said this was aimed at curbing excessive celebrations and reducing the financial burden on parents.

The decision was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sa’idu.

According to a press statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, on Friday, the decisions formed part of ongoing reforms to reposition Nigeria’s education sector and ease the financial burden on families.

“The Ministers stated that graduation ceremonies have been streamlined to curb unnecessary financial pressure on parents.

“Under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies,” she said.

The Federal Government also rolled out a new policy enforcing the use of standardised, high-quality textbooks designed to last between four and six years, aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and improving learning outcomes across schools nationwide.

The policy, she said, was aimed at strengthening quality assurance mechanisms and ends the practice of frequent, cosmetic textbook revisions that force families to purchase new learning materials every academic session.

The statement said the policy prioritises the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while expressly prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.

She said the initiative will allow siblings to share textbooks, significantly lower recurring education costs for parents, and reduce waste within the school system, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.

“As part of broader sector reforms, they noted that the Federal Government has introduced a uniform academic calendar to promote consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country.”

The Ministers further emphasised that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection and use of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide.