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Prohibits compulsory lessons
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State government has banned graduation ceremonies for pre-nursery, nursery, and primary school pupils across the state.
The government also banned compulsory lessons for students and pupils in schools across the state with immediate effect.
The government said graduation ceremonies are exclusively reserved for pupils and students who have successfully completed basic education (JSS3) and Senior Secondary (SS3).
The Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary) in the state, Donatus Ilang, stated this in a statement in Abakaliki, the state capital.
He said the ban was in line with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s policy on educational reform to enhance the quality of education in the state.
Ilang said all schools in the state (public approved and private) must use government-approved textbooks.
He added that unapproved or unqualified faith-based and private schools will be closed with immediate effect and directed parents to transfer their wards to government-approved schools.
“The First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) is a basic requirement for admission of students into secondary school in the state; henceforth, it must be presented before admission.
“Students seeking transfer must present a transfer certificate from their former school before admission.
“The state government has banned grading based on position, recognising only first, second, and third positions, while others will be graded pass or fail. Therefore, students who fail promotion exams must repeat the class.
“Graduation ceremonies are exclusively reserved for pupils and students who have successfully completed basic education (JSS3) and Senior Secondary (SS3). In view of the above, pre-basic (kindergarten/nursery) and Primary 6 are banned from holding graduation ceremonies forthwith.
“Mandatory skills acquisition and entrepreneurship: The Ebonyi State government has introduced Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition as a subject in the school system. Henceforth, entrepreneurship and skill acquisition 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,” he said.