Ogun Govt reiterates ban on graduation charges in schools

The Ogun State government has firmly restated its prohibition on schools charging fees for graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, emphasized that the directive aims to shield parents from exorbitant and unnecessary financial burdens.

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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.

Arigbabu addressed concerns from the Grand Union of Private Schools Association (GUPSA), particularly regarding the inclusion of photographs and QR codes on Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) certificates. He explained these measures are essential for verifying certificate authenticity and preventing examination malpractice.

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

The commissioner also highlighted the government's commitment to school safety, urging private school proprietors to enhance security measures, including hiring personnel if needed. He acknowledged the contributions of private schools to the state's education sector, stressing that educational investment should prioritize quality learning and character development over profit.

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

Furthermore, the ministry is working to integrate private schools into the OgunLEARN platform, which will provide access to digital lesson notes and ensure uniform instructional content across both public and private institutions. GUPSA President Ustadh Ajibola commended the government's efforts in improving the education sector.

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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.