Governor Monday Okpebholo has rolled out sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping education in Edo State, with policies designed to ease parents’ financial burdens, restore discipline to schools, and prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
The reforms, driven by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, are being described as some of the most comprehensive in recent years.
One of the first measures is a clampdown on lavish graduation ceremonies for pre-nursery, nursery, primary and junior secondary pupils. Authorities say such events, often marked by expensive outfits, cakes and photoshoots, placed unnecessary pressure on families while diverting attention from the real task of building literacy, numeracy, and character.
In addition, Edo schools will now implement a standardized textbook policy. Books will be retained for at least four years, allowing younger siblings to reuse them, a move expected to save parents millions of naira. This decision is intended to put an end to what government officials describe as “profit-driven textbook changes” that have long strained households.
Perhaps the most ambitious part of the new framework is the introduction of compulsory skills training for all secondary school students beginning from JSS3. Areas of focus include garment making, solar installation, GSM repairs, agriculture, event management, and digital literacy. The state government says the aim is to ensure every student graduates with both academic knowledge and practical skills that can provide employment or entrepreneurship opportunities.
Governor Okpebholo has framed the reforms as a bold attempt to realign education in Edo with real-life needs, describing them as “a reset that prioritizes discipline, equity, and future readiness.”
Stakeholders — teachers, parents, and communities — have been urged to support the policies, which the government insists will produce a new generation of Edo children better prepared to navigate Nigeria’s tough economic landscape.
If sustained, analysts believe these changes could mark the beginning of an educational renaissance in Edo State, with long-term benefits for families, communities, and the economy.
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