Ogun Govt reiterates ban on graduation charges in schools

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Gov Dapo Abiodun

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The Ogun State Government has reiterated its directive prohibiting public and private schools from charging students any fee for graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties.

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The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, reaffirmed this while receiving members of the Grand Union of Private Schools Association (GUPSA) at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

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He explained that the directive followed widespread complaints and controversies from parents over the imposition of exorbitant charges by some schools for graduation-related activities.

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Arigbabu stressed that the state government would not condone any practice that places an unnecessary financial burden on parents under the pretext of organising school ceremonies.

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In response to GUPSA’s request for the removal of learners’ photographs from the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) certificates, Arigbabu explained government’s position on the matter.

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He stated that the inclusion of learners’ photographs and Quick Response (QR) codes on BECE certificates was aimed at safeguarding the certificates’ credibility and curbing examination malpractice.

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He also disclosed that the government had put in place measures to strengthen the security of learners and all personnel within school environments.

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He urged proprietors of private schools to complement the government’s efforts by paying closer attention to school safety, including engaging security personnel where necessary.

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He also commended private school owners for their contributions to educational development in the state.

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He stressed that investment in education should be driven by commitment to quality learning and character development rather than profit.

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The commissioner also revealed that the ministry was working on modalities to onboard private schools onto the Ogun Learning Enhancement and Academic Resource Network (OgunLEARN) platform.

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“The OgunLearn initiative will give private schools access to the state’s digital lesson notes and ensure uniform quality instructional content for learners in both public and private schools,” he said.

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Earlier, in his remark, the GUPSA President, Mr Ustadh Ajibola, commended the state government for its interventions in repositioning the education sector in the state.

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