Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) has issued a fresh directive reiterating the ban on graduation ceremonies, Christmas parties, and the collection of graduation levies in all public primary and junior secondary schools across the state. The circular, dated 10 July 2026 and signed by the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Dr Justina Anyadiegwu, was addressed to Officers-in-Charge of Local Government Education Areas and Education Secretaries across the 21 local government areas of the state. It stated unequivocally that no primary or junior secondary school shall organise or permit any graduation ceremony, graduation levy, Christmas party, or any related activity inconsistent with the government's directive.
The renewed directive comes amid growing concerns among parents over rising school levies and elaborate graduation ceremonies organised for pupils in non-terminal classes. The board warned that any violation of the directive would attract appropriate administrative sanctions and urged all stakeholders in the basic education sector to comply fully with the policy. The circular, obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, directed all school heads to ensure strict compliance, while LGEA officials and Education Secretaries were tasked with disseminating the reminder to all schools within their jurisdictions and monitoring compliance.
Recall that Governor Chukwuma Soludo, in October 2025, banned graduation ceremonies and Christmas parties in schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians. The governor had said the policy was designed to make education more affordable and equitable for families while discouraging unnecessary expenses associated with school activities. Expressing concern over what he described as avoidable financial pressure on parents, Soludo had also directed schools to discontinue the use of textbooks designed for pupils to write in. "This is to owners and administrators of government, private, and mission schools in Anambra: we have set out some basic standards to ensure that the poor are not made to spend so much just because their children are in school," the governor had said. "One of the measures includes discontinuing the use of textbooks designed for students to write in. This practice forces parents to buy new textbooks annually. Once a child finishes a class, he should be able to pass on his textbooks to his younger siblings."
The policy has been a subject of some confusion, with the Anambra State Government previously clarifying that graduation ceremonies are not entirely banned but that extravagant celebrations and compulsory financial levies on parents are prohibited. In May 2026, the Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Education, Dr Ifeoma Agbaizu, explained that the government was not abolishing graduation celebrations but was regulating their conduct to ensure affordability and fairness. She clarified that graduation party fees should only apply to bona fide graduands in Primary Six and Senior Secondary School 3 levels, adding that no pupil or student outside these classes should be made to pay any form of graduation levy. Schools are also prohibited from compelling parents to purchase expensive graduation gowns, customised outfits, or related materials as a condition for participation in ceremonies. The government also warned against organising graduation parties in hotels, event centres, or community fields, stressing that such practices place undue burden on families and distort the purpose of school ceremonies.
With the latest circular from ASUBEB, the state government has made it clear that the ban on graduation ceremonies and Christmas parties for primary and junior secondary schools remains firmly in place. School heads and administrators have been put on notice that violations will attract sanctions, and parents have been urged to report any school that flouts the directive. As the Anambra State Government continues its push for a more affordable and disciplined education system, the policy serves as a reminder that the days of elaborate and costly school ceremonies for young pupils are over.
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