New Education Policy in Ebonyi: No More Primary School Graduation, Skill Certification Now Mandatory

New Education Policy in Ebonyi: No More Primary School Graduation, Skill Certification Now Mandatory

The Ebonyi State Government has stopped all graduation ceremonies for nursery and Primary 6 pupils. From now on, only students finishing JSS3 and SS3 can hold graduation parties.

The new rule was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Donatus Ilang, on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

According to the directive:

Only government-approved textbooks can be used in schools. These books must last 4 years and cannot be written in, so parents can reuse them for younger children.

Any private or faith-based school without official approval will be closed. Parents are to move their children to approved schools.

Pupils must now present their First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) before entering secondary school. Transfer certificates are also compulsory for those changing schools.

In class ranking, only 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions will be recorded. Others will simply get a Pass or Fail, and those who fail will repeat.

The government has also made entrepreneurship and skill acquisition subjects compulsory. Students must get a skills certificate before they graduate.

After-school lessons are no longer compulsory, unless parents, teachers, and school heads agree.

The government said the move is to reduce unnecessary costs for parents, improve learning quality, and equip students with practical skills for the future.