Edo State Bans Nursery and Primary Graduation Parties

The Edo State Government has unveiled wide-ranging reforms in the education sector, including a ban on graduation parties for nursery and primary school pupils, mandatory entrepreneurship training for junior secondary students, and a textbook reuse policy.

The Ministry of Education said the measures, effective from the 2025/2026 academic session, are designed to enhance stability, consistency, and quality learning across schools in the state.

Under the new policy, younger siblings will be allowed to reuse approved textbooks purchased by older siblings, with each book remaining in use for at least four years before review.

Graduation ceremonies will now be limited to pupils completing Basic Education (Primary 1–JSS 3) and Senior Secondary 3 (SSS 3), with only modest celebrations permitted. Prom parties are banned, and pre-basic and primary school pupils will no longer hold graduation ceremonies or parties.

In a key policy shift, all JSS 3 students must undergo compulsory entrepreneurship training before graduation. From the next academic session, every JSS 3 graduate will receive two certificates: the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and a Skills Acquisition Certificate in their chosen trade.

The Ministry said the reforms aim to ensure Edo students are not only academically competent but also equipped with practical entrepreneurial skills to succeed in a competitive world.