The Abia State Government has warned public and private schools against collecting unauthorised graduation levies from pupils and students, saying offenders will face sanctions.
The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Duru Marvellous, on behalf of the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi.
The government reiterated that graduation ceremonies are approved only for pupils in Primary Six and students in Senior Secondary School Three (SS3), the terminal classes in the state’s basic and secondary education system.
“Graduation ceremonies are recognised only for Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3), being the terminal classes in the Basic and Senior Secondary Education cycles,” the commissioner said.
He stressed that any graduation ceremony organised for non-terminal classes with compulsory payments is illegal.
“Any graduation ceremony organised for non-terminal classes that attracts compulsory payment is not approved and must cease forthwith,” the statement read.
The government said it had received reports that some schools were still imposing graduation fees on pupils and students in non-terminal classes despite the existing directive.
Consequently, it directed that no public or private school should collect graduation levies or fees from any class other than Primary Six and SS3.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has also been directed to begin immediate monitoring and enforcement of the policy across schools in the state.
According to the government, any school found violating the directive will be sanctioned in line with the law.
The commissioner urged parents, guardians, school proprietors and other stakeholders to comply with the directive and report any school imposing illegal graduation levies to the ministry for investigation and appropriate action.
