The Anambra State Government has sanctioned seven private schools for violating its ban on graduation parties and ordered them to refund all monies collected from parents within one month or face immediate closure.
The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, during a meeting with proprietors of the affected schools.
According to information released by the state Ministry of Education, the government has intensified enforcement of its policy against unauthorised levies and graduation celebrations in schools across the state.
Dr. Ogugua directed the affected schools to refund all monies collected from parents for graduation parties and submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to the Ministry of Education within one month.
“Schools must refund all monies collected from parents for graduation parties within one month and submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to the Ministry of Education. Any school that fails to comply with the directive will face immediate sealing and closure,” he stated.
The Anambra State Government had earlier placed an indefinite ban on graduation ceremonies in kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools (except SS3) in both public and private institutions. The policy aims to reduce the financial burden on parents.
The government warned that monitoring teams would continue inspections across all education zones to identify and sanction defaulters, stressing its commitment to ensuring strict compliance with education policies.