Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru Of Ebonyi State has banned graduation party for nursery and primary school pupils in the state.

This was made known in a statement seen by NEWMAX NIGERIA on Thursday signed by the Commissioner for Education, Donatus Ilang.

Governor Nwifuru also banned writing of assignments in textbooks and compulsory lessons for school children.

The statement added also stated other new rules and regulations that all schools in Ebonyi State must obey.

See the full statement below ;

To all Principals and Head of Teachers of Public Schools,
To all Proprietors of Private School and Faith-Based Schools,
To all Parents and Guardians and General Public.

EBONYI STATE NEW EDUCATION POLICY

In line with Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s People’s Charter of Needs Agenda and the Ebonyi State Government’s policy on Educational Reform, the following directives are issued to enhance the quality of education in Ebonyi State:

1. Adoption of Unified Textbooks: All Schools (Public approved and Private) shall use government-approved textbooks.

2. Closure of Unapproved Schools: Unapproved/Unqualified Faith-Based and Private Schools are closed with immediate effect. Parents are directed to transfer their wards to government-approved schools.

3. Admission Requirements: First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) is a basic requirement for admission of students into Secondary School in the State, henceforth must be presented before admission.

4. Implementation of Transfer Certificate Policy: Students seeking transfer must present a transfer certificate from their former school before admission.

5. Fail and Repeat Policy: The State Government has banned grading based on position, recognizing only first, second and third position while others will be graded pass or fail. Therefore, student who fail promotion exams must repeat the class.

6. Graduation Parties: Graduation ceremonies are exclusively reserved for Pupils and Students who have successfully completed basic education (JSS3) and Senior Secondary (S53). In view of the above, Pre-Basic (Kindergarten/Nursery) and Primary 6 are banned from holding graduation ceremonies forthwith.

7. Textbooks Reuse Policy: All Ebonyi State government-approve unified textbooks will remain in use for 4 years before reviewing therefore, writing text or assignment inside textbooks is strictly prohibited. This is to enable younger siblings reuse them.

8. Mandatory Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship: Ebonyi State government has introduced Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition Subject, in the school system. Henceforth, Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisitions are compulsory in all our Schools. Therefore, students of Basic Education and Senior Secondary SS3, must receive their Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Certificates upon Graduation.

9. Prohibition of Compulsory Lessons: Ebonyi State government has banned Compulsory Lessons for Students and Pupils in all our schools across the State with immediate effect, except a former agreement is reached with Parents and Teachers or School Managers

All Principals and School Administrators are directed to comply strictly with these policies immediately.

Dr. Donatus Chukwuma Ilang
Commissioner for Education
(Primary and Secondary)
Ebonyi State.
September 1, 2025.