Key Points
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Benue bans basic school graduation parties in public and private schools.
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State prohibits non-transferable textbooks to reduce costs for families.
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Policy aims to protect parents from financial exploitation in education.
Benue State authorities have issued a sweeping directive to schools, banning elaborate graduation ceremonies at the basic education level and outlawing the practice of making textbooks non-transferable between students.
According to the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the actions are meant to encourage discipline and inclusivity in both public and private schools while also lessening the financial strain on parents.
Basic school graduation celebrations are prohibited in Benue
At a meeting with Makurdi’s education stakeholders, SUBEB Chairman Joseph Utse announced the new regulations.
According to a report by Vanguard news, he emphasized that primary and junior secondary school graduation ceremonies have turned into financial exploitation, forcing parents to spend more than they can afford on activities that don’t significantly improve learning outcomes.
He claimed that many families were forced to cover the expenses of entertainment, decorations, and uniforms. According to Utse, “we cannot allow schools to continue to turn graduations into carnivals when the resources could be better spent on academic support.”
Non-transferable textbooks are prohibited in Benue schools
The sale of personalized textbooks that schools require parents to buy new for each child, even if older siblings have already used the same books, is another issue that the directive targets. The board pointed out that such actions are against the government’s affordable education policy.
According to Utse, educational institutions should refrain from commercializing learning resources and permit textbooks to be used by students. He cautioned that noncompliant schools could face penalties or deregistration and that enforcement teams would be sent to keep an eye on compliance.
The goal of the policy is to lessen the load on parents
Some parents praised the controversial measures, calling them a relief in the face of Nigeria’s escalating inflation and rising household costs. The yearly graduation celebrations, according to many, have turned into a financial trap.
The policy was also hailed by education experts, who said it might help refocus attention away from social displays and toward the quality of instruction. Still, critics argue that graduations offer children a sense of accomplishment and identity, urging government to find middle ground rather than outright bans.
Benue’s action reflects a growing trend among state governments to stop practices deemed exploitative as Nigeria struggles with the rising cost of education. The new school year beginning in September will test whether or not schools fully comply.
