Anambra Reaffirms Ban on Graduation Ceremonies, Christmas Parties in Primary, Junior Secondary Schools

The Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) has again directed all public primary and junior secondary schools across the state to refrain from organising graduation ceremonies, Christmas parties or collecting graduation-related levies.
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‎The reminder was conveyed in a circular dated July 10, 2026, signed by the board’s Executive Chairman, Dr Justina Anyadiegwu. According to the board, the directive aligns with the Anambra State Government’s standing policy regulating activities in basic education schools.
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‎The circular, addressed to Officers-in-Charge of Local Government Education Areas (LGEAs) and Education Secretaries in all 21 local government areas, instructed school administrators to ensure strict compliance with the policy.
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‎It stated that no public primary or junior secondary school should organise graduation ceremonies, impose graduation levies, hold Christmas parties, or engage in any activity that contradicts the government’s directive.
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‎ASUBEB further directed Education Secretaries and LGEA officials to circulate the reminder to schools under their supervision and closely monitor adherence. It warned that defaulters would face appropriate administrative sanctions while urging stakeholders in the education sector to support full implementation of the policy.
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‎The renewed warning comes amid concerns from parents over increasing school charges and the growing trend of elaborate graduation ceremonies for pupils in non-terminal classes.
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‎Governor Chukwuma Soludo first introduced the ban in October 2025 as part of measures aimed at easing the financial burden on parents and making basic education more affordable.
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‎The governor also ordered schools to discontinue the use of workbooks designed for pupils to write in, arguing that such materials compel parents to purchase new textbooks every academic session instead of allowing younger siblings to reuse them.
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‎Soludo maintained that the policy was intended to reduce unnecessary educational expenses and ensure that children from less privileged families were not disadvantaged by avoidable school costs.