Edo Govt Bans Graduation Parties for Nursery, Primary Pupils

• The Edo State Government has introduced major education reforms effective from the 2025/2026 session, banning graduation parties for nursery and primary pupils, enforcing textbook reuse, and mandating entrepreneurship training for JSS3 students.

• Under the policy, JSS3 graduates will now receive both the BECE and a Skills Acquisition Certificate.

The Edo State Government has unveiled major reforms in the education sector, including a ban on graduation parties for nursery and primary school pupils.

In a statement, the state Ministry of Education said the new measures, effective from the 2025/2026 academic session, are designed to promote stability, consistency, and quality learning across schools.

Among the policies is a textbook reuse system, allowing younger siblings to use approved textbooks purchased by older ones, with each book valid for at least four years before review.

Graduation ceremonies will now be restricted to pupils completing Basic Education (Primary 1–JSS 3) and Senior Secondary 3 (SSS 3), with only modest celebrations permitted. Prom parties have been banned entirely.

Pre-basic and primary school pupils will no longer hold graduation parties.

In a major shift, all JSS 3 students must now undergo compulsory entrepreneurship training before graduation. Starting next session, graduates will be issued two certificates: the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and a Skills Acquisition Certificate in their chosen trade.

According to the Ministry, the reforms are part of efforts to ensure Edo students are not only academically sound but also equipped with practical entrepreneurial skills to compete globally.