Kogi State has announced sweeping changes to school ceremonies and learning materials across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, said signing‑out ceremonies in tertiary institutions are now banned. In primary and secondary schools, the traditional yearly graduation ceremonies will be discontinued and replaced with annual Speech and Prize‑Giving Days. Graduation will be permitted only, if necessary, after the Senior Secondary School (SSS3) examinations.
Jones said the moves are intended to ease the economic burden on parents, curb social problems associated with frequent celebrations, and promote a more disciplined, cost‑effective education system. He urged stakeholders to study and support the full implementation of the Kogi State Education Law of 2020.
The commissioner also announced a ban on converting textbooks into workbooks. Parents will instead be expected to provide exercise books or notebooks for pupils to complete assignments, allowing textbooks to be reused by siblings.
Jones warned that the state will enforce compliance with other regulations, including the requirement that schools participate in state‑organised mock examinations. “Schools that fail to sit the mandatory mock examinations will not have their students cleared to sit WAEC,” he said, stressing that mock exams are a prerequisite for WAEC clearance in the state.
Highlighting broader goals, the commissioner said the government aims to reduce the number of out‑of‑school children, improve education quality, ease parents’ financial burdens, and reintroduce core literacy and discipline—while incorporating greater use of information and communication technology. He called on private school proprietors, parent‑teacher bodies and other stakeholders to cooperate with the government to realise Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo’s vision for the sector.
