Alex Otti’s Administration Bans Graduation Ceremonies In Public And Private Schools

Abia State has introduced fresh education regulations designed to reduce costs for families and improve academic standards across the state.

Governor Alex Otti’s administration announced the measures following this week’s Executive Council session in Umuahia, with Information Commissioner Prince Okey Kanu briefing reporters on the decisions.

The state will now limit graduation events to final-year pupils only, those completing Primary 6 and Senior Secondary 3 , in all government and private institutions.

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Education Commissioner, Goodluck Ubochi, told journalists that ceremonies for nursery and early primary pupils create unnecessary financial pressure on families who are forced to meet expensive requirements for events that serve little educational purpose.

The administration has also mandated that schools separate textbooks from workbooks, allowing families to pass down textbooks to younger children whilst ensuring each pupil has individual workbooks.

Officials expressed concern that many parents fail to collect their children’s First School Leaving Certificates, often leaving the documents abandoned at schools. To address this, the government has capped fees for Primary 6 certificates at ₦2,000.

Students planning to sit WAEC, NECO or JAMB examinations must now produce their basic education certificates before registration. The state has made passing a compulsory promotion examination in SS2 mandatory for advancement to SS3.

Ubochi emphasised that both public and private schools must participate in the promotion testing system. The government has banned pupils from changing schools between SS2 and SS3 as part of efforts to prevent examination fraud and improve oversight.

“These measures are designed to reduce financial pressure on parents, promote accountability, and ensure integrity in the education system,” Ubochi said.

The policies represent the latest attempt by the Otti administration to reform the state’s education sector whilst addressing economic challenges facing families.