The Osun State Ministry of Education has announced a new policy on education and banning of graduation ceremonies for nursery and kindergarten pupils in both the public and private schools across the state.
In a circular dated September 19, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, M.A.K. Jimoh, the ministry said the practice had placed an “undue financial burden” on parents, reduced instructional time, and commercialized early childhood education.
According to the directive, only pupils completing Primary 6 and students graduating from Senior Secondary School (SSS3) are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies. “This policy aims to ensure that students, parents, guardians, and stakeholders focus on the academic achievements of students at the end of their primary and secondary education cycles,” said the Permanent Secretary.
The circular further introduced strict measures on textbook usage. Proprietors of faith-based and private schools are now mandated to use only government approved textbooks for a minimum of three years, allowing siblings to reuse books within that period. The ministry also banned the use of workbooks within textbooks, saying they reduce the lifespan of the learning materials.
In compliance with this directives, monitoring teams will be deployed to enforce the oder, with erring schools facing disciplinary measures such as fines or suspension of registration.
The ministry urged full cooperation from education stakeholders to “uphold the integrity and purpose of education” in Osun State.
