Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ebonyi State Ministry of Education has launched a sweeping investigation into allegations that more than 87 public and private schools across the state have been imposing illegal levies on parents for graduation, valedictory, and award ceremonies, with some school administrators reportedly barring students from examination halls for failing to pay the unauthorised charges. Commissioner for Education, Donatus Ilang, confirmed on Monday, 6 July 2026, that the government intervened following numerous complaints from aggrieved parents who alleged that their children were being sent out of examination halls or barred from participating in vital school activities simply because they could not afford to pay the fees.
According to the filed complaints, the fees demanded by school administrators ranged from ₦2,000 to ₦10,000 per student. A preliminary investigation panel set up by the ministry has reportedly corroborated the claims, with 53 students verifying the allegations made by their parents. The ministry has now begun inviting principals, head teachers, and proprietors of the affected schools to formally respond to the allegations as the probe continues. Ilang warned that special surveillance teams had been deployed across the three senatorial zones of Ebonyi State to monitor compliance with government directives and enforce approved education policies.
The investigation comes amid a broader crackdown by the Ebonyi State Government on what it describes as the exploitation of parents through unauthorised fees and the organisation of graduation ceremonies without official approval. In September 2025, the state government originally announced a ban on graduation ceremonies for nursery and primary schools, restricting such ceremonies to Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 3 levels only. Despite repeated warnings, the ministry observed that some principals and head teachers of both public and private schools had continued to organise graduation, valedictory and other end-of-session ceremonies without obtaining prior written approval from the state government.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Mary Otozi, the government expressed concern over the continued violation of its directives by school administrators. The ministry restated that no school is permitted to hold graduation ceremonies or similar events without prior approval from the state government. It warned that any institution that violates the directive will face strict sanctions, including the withdrawal of operational approval or licensing, imposition of heavy penalties, and legal prosecution where deemed necessary. The government also urged parents and guardians to report any principal or head teacher who demands payment for unauthorised graduation ceremonies or other end-of-session events, as well as schools that refuse to refund money already collected for such activities.
The latest investigation is part of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's broader education reform drive, which has seen the closure of thousands of illegal and substandard schools across the state. In May 2026, Ilang disclosed that the government had shut down over 3,000 illegal schools as part of efforts to elevate educational standards in the state. The government has also previously arrested 88 proprietors and teachers for operating unapproved and illegal schools across the state. Ilang has consistently warned school administrators against collecting unapproved levies, stressing that the government would not tolerate any form of exploitation within the education sector.
The investigation into the 87 schools has sent a strong signal to school administrators across Ebonyi State that the government is serious about enforcing its education policies and protecting parents from exploitation. The ministry's statement made it clear that culpable schools would face severe consequences, including withdrawal of operational approval or licensing, imposition of heavy penalties as provided by relevant regulations, and legal prosecution where deemed necessary. The ministry concluded its statement by advising all school administrators to comply fully with government directives, warning them to immediately refrain from imposing unauthorised levies on parents or engaging in any practices that undermine the state's educational standards.
The probe has been welcomed by parents and civil society organisations, who have long complained about the burden of multiple fees imposed by schools. Many parents have described the practice as exploitative, particularly in a state where economic hardship has made it difficult for families to afford basic necessities. The government's decision to investigate the allegations and invite school administrators to respond to the complaints has been seen as a positive step towards restoring accountability in the education sector. As the investigation continues, the Ministry of Education has urged parents and guardians to continue providing timely and credible information that will assist the probe and help sanitise the education sector.
The Ebonyi State Government's crackdown on illegal levies and unauthorised graduation ceremonies is part of a broader effort to reform the education sector and ensure that all children have access to quality education without being subjected to exploitative practices. By enforcing compliance with approved education policies, the government hopes to create a more equitable and accountable education system that serves the best interests of students and parents alike. The investigation into the 87 schools is expected to conclude in the coming weeks, with the government vowing to impose strict sanctions on any institution found to have violated the state's education policies. For now, the message from the Ebonyi State Government is clear: unauthorised levies will not be tolerated, and school administrators who exploit parents will face the full weight of the law.
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