The Ogun State government has restated its prohibition on public and private schools charging students for graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, reiterated the directive during a meeting with the Grand Union of Private Schools Association (GUPSA) in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday. He said the ban was issued in response to complaints from parents about excessive fees imposed by some schools for such events. Arigbabu emphasized that the government would not tolerate practices that impose unnecessary financial burdens on parents in the name of school celebrations.
During the meeting, GUPSA requested the removal of learners' photographs from Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) certificates. In response, Arigbabu explained that photos and quick response (QR) codes on the certificates were introduced to protect their authenticity and reduce examination malpractice. He added that the state had implemented measures to improve security within school environments. He urged private school proprietors to support these efforts by ensuring adequate safety measures, including hiring security personnel where needed.
Arigbabu acknowledged the role of private school owners in advancing education in the state but stressed that educational investment should prioritize quality learning and character development over profit. He disclosed that the ministry is developing a framework to integrate private schools into the Ogun Learning Enhancement and Academic Resource Network (OgunLEARN). The platform will provide access to state-approved digital lesson notes, ensuring consistent instructional quality across public and private institutions. "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. GUPSA president Ustadh Ajibola praised the government's efforts to improve the education sector.
The commissioner condemns financial burdens on parents while urging private schools to hire security staff, a cost that could be passed on to those same parents. The state's push for uniform education standards through OgunLEARN may clash with its refusal to allow schools to charge for graduation events. Parents are caught between policy intentions and the practical costs of compliance. The contradiction lies in regulating school expenses without addressing how institutions will absorb new mandates.
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