Ebonyi State’s sweeping educational reforms, from barring assignments in textbooks to scrapping lavish kindergarten graduation parties, align with the federal government’s tightening of academic standards and admission age regulations.
The Ebonyi State Government has announced sweeping reforms in its education sector, banning flamboyant graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils, outlawing the writing of assignments in textbooks, and closing unapproved schools. Commissioner for Education, Donatus Ilang, said the measures are designed to ease the financial burdens on parents, promote uniformity in learning, and raise academic standards across the state.
In his statement on Monday, Ilang stressed that graduation ceremonies would now be restricted only to students completing Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) and Senior Secondary School (SS 3). He described the practice of organizing lavish graduation parties at nursery or pre-basic levels as wasteful and contrary to the principles of serious learning.
“To enable reuse by younger siblings, students are prohibited from writing assignments or notes inside the textbooks,” Ilang explained. “The government has also directed all schools in the state, both public and private, to adopt a unified set of approved textbooks, which will remain in use for at least four years before review.”
The commissioner also announced the immediate closure of all unapproved and unqualified faith-based and private schools. He directed parents to withdraw their wards and enroll them in accredited institutions without delay. He further stressed that the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) is now compulsory for admission into secondary schools, while transfer students must present authentic certificates from their former schools before being considered for placement.
On grading, the state government has abolished the ranking of students beyond the third position. Only the first, second, and third positions will be recognized, while all other pupils will be graded as either “pass” or “fail.” Students who fail promotion examinations will be made to repeat their classes as part of efforts to strengthen academic performance.
Ebonyi has also introduced a compulsory Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition subject into the school curriculum. According to Ilang, graduating students at the basic and senior secondary levels will now be issued certificates in Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition alongside their academic results, a move he described as crucial to preparing young people for the realities of the labour market. The government also announced an immediate ban on compulsory extra lessons in all schools, although voluntary lessons may still be held where a formal agreement exists between parents, teachers, and school managers.
“These reforms are designed to enhance the quality of education in Ebonyi State and equip our children with the knowledge and skills needed for the future,” the commissioner said.
The new policy direction mirrors recent decisions in states such as Anambra, Imo, Benue, Ondo, and Edo, where governments have also outlawed nursery graduation ceremonies and directed that textbooks should not be defaced by assignments. The trend reflects a growing consensus among state governments to prioritise affordability, uniformity, and practicality in basic education.
These state-level reforms are unfolding against the backdrop of broader federal government policies. In 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education under Minister Tahir Mamman announced that no candidate under the age of 18 would be allowed to sit for examinations such as WAEC, NECO, or JAMB, aligning with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 educational structure. “JAMB is hereby instructed, to admit only eligible students, that is, those who have attained 18 years by our laws,” Mamman had said.
The directive sparked outrage among parents and education stakeholders, who argued that the move would penalize gifted students and extend the number of years children spend in school unnecessarily. Teachers’ associations and parent groups warned that the policy would create more problems than it solved.
By November 2024, the new Education Minister, Morufu Tunji Alausa, reversed the decision, restoring the minimum entry age to 16 while allowing exceptions for gifted students. “We will not be going forward with the 18-year admission benchmark,” he clarified. “We will go for 16 years. There will also be exceptions for gifted students.” He further emphasized that the federal government’s focus would now lean towards a curriculum with 80 percent practical learning and 20 percent theory, to better prepare students for global competitiveness.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has since aligned with the reversal, relaxing its age policy and reopening opportunities for younger but qualified candidates. Educationists note that this reversal is consistent with the federal government’s drive to encourage inclusivity while strengthening standards.
Across the country, reforms are increasingly tilting towards skills-based education. Ebonyi’s new compulsory Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition certification, coupled with the federal government’s call for a more practical curriculum, points to a shift in national priorities.
Observers say the reforms could reshape the education landscape in profound ways. Parents, once burdened with annual expenses for textbooks, uniforms, and graduation events, may find relief in measures such as textbook reuse and the abolition of expensive kindergarten graduation parties. At the same time, students may leave school better prepared with practical skills and entrepreneurial know-how in addition to their traditional certificates.
While challenges remain in implementation, the combined state and federal reforms underscore a renewed urgency to re-engineer education in Nigeria. The ultimate test will be whether these policies deliver on their promise to make learning more affordable, equitable, and relevant in a rapidly changing world.
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