Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
In order to ease the burden on parents in Edo State and replicates what is currently going on in Imo State, the Edo State Government has decided to ban graduation ceremonies for pupils in basic 1 -9 , while suspending sales of textbooks by teachers in public schools.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu who, issued the new guidelines in a press statement signed by himself, said the Edo State Ministry of Education is committed to providing clear policy direction on all educational matters while ensuring quality, standards, and inclusiveness across the State’s education system.
Read the full statement:
” In line with the National and State Policies on Education, the Edo State Education Law and other relevant statutory frameworks, the Ministry hereby issues the following policy guidelines, which all schools (public, private, and faith-based) in Edo State are required to strictly comply with:
“APPROVED TEXTBOOKS: Only textbooks recommended and approved by the Ministry are permitted in all schools across the State.
” USAGE OF APPROVED TEXTBOOKS: To promote stability and consistency in learning, schools must henceforth allow younger siblings to use
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approved textbooks previously purchased by their older siblings. Approved textbooks are designed to remain in use for a minimum of four (4) years before any review by the Ministry.
” TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS DESIGN:
” Authors and publishers are hereby reminded that no textbook should contain workspaces within its content.
“Henceforth, any textbook that includes workspaces will be derecognized by the Ministry.
” Workbooks shall henceforth be produced and used separately from textbooks.
” GRADUATION CEREMONIES IN SCHOOLS: In line with the provisions of “the National and Edo State Policies on Education, henceforth, only students who have completed the Basic 1-9 and Senior Secondary 3 are permitted to hold modest graduation celebrations.
However, promenade (prom) ceremonies are highly discouraged as it encourages indecency amongst the students. For the avoidance of doubt, all Pre-Basic pupils are not allowed to embark on graduation ceremonies and parties across the State. This policy is aimed at ensuring that pupils, students, parents, guardians, stakeholders, and school managers remain focused on achieving quality learning outcomes at the conclusion of each educational level.
” BINDING EDUCATIONAL STATUTORY DOCUMENTS: School administrators are once again advised to acquaint themselves with the statutory documents that govern and regulate the standard operations of schools in the State. These include the Education Law, the National and Edo State Policies on Education, Ministry of Education circulars, and other regulatory instruments.
“Compliance with these documents is mandatory. In particular, the National and Edo State Policies on Education, which equally uphold the following principles:
” All basic classes are compulsory, including Basic 6 (Primary 6).
” Skipping of classes is strictly prohibited at all levels of education.
” Moving pupils / students from lower class to certificate class unduly simply to write Middle Basic Assessment (MBA) or Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is highly prohibited;
” Use of the National Curriculum is compulsory; additional curricula are optional and cannot replace the national standard.
” Only qualified teachers are to be engaged for classroom instruction and academic activities in all schools.
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“Teachers and school leaders in all schools are expected to model discipline, professionalism, and commitment to duty at all times.
“The Middle Basic Assessment (MBA) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are mandatory for all basic schools in the State.
” The minimum age of a pupil to write MBA (primary 6) remains 10 yrs.
” On social safeguards in all Schools, no food is allowed as gift to learners without the approval of parents.
” Attending seminars during school hours in public schools without Ministry’s approval is prohibited.
“Students on field trips are to be lodged with their chaperones on same-gender basis only.
” HARMONISED SCHOOL CALENDAR: All schools in the State are to strictly adhere to the harmonised school calendar issued by the Ministry for the 2025/2026 academic session. Any parallel calendar is prohibited. Violations will attract appropriate sanctions.
” SALE OF BOOKS: All public school heads must provide the approved list of books and learning materials for students. The sale of books by school staff is strictly prohibited. No parent shall be coerced to purchase books from a specific vendor.
” ADMISSION INTO JSS1 CLASS:
Admission into JSS1 shall be strictly based on successful completion of primary education and evidence to have completed Primary Six and written the Middle Basic Assessment (MBA). Admission is FREE in all public schools and must be properly documented.
” ADMISSION INTO SS1 AND TECH 1 CLASSES: Admission into SS1 and Tech 1 classes shall be strictly based on successful completion of basic education, that is, with evidence to have completed and written Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Admission is FREE in all public schools. Upon releases of BECE results by the Ministry, all Executive Principals / school heads should request their students who failed the core subjects to retake them. Transfer cases from other schools must be properly verified and documented by the receiving school.
“ADMISSION INTO CERTIFICATE CLASSES (PRIMARY 6, JSS 3, SS 3, TECH 3): All schools (public and private) are hereby reminded that the Ministry’s policy prohibiting admission into certificate classes (Primary 6, JSS 3, SS 3 and Tech 3) without the written approval of the Honourable Commissioner for Education remains strictly in force. Schools are not permitted to admit new students into these classes without official clearance and approval by the Honourable Commissioner for Education.
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“Non-compliance will attract severe sanctions, including the immediate closure of the school without prior notice, and the School Head/Owner shall be prosecuted in accordance with the Education Law and other statutory frameworks of the Ministry.
“EXAMINATION CONDUCT: All forms of examination malpractice and irregularities must be eradicated. School administrators, teachers, and learners must uphold honesty and credibility during all internal and external examinations. Any breach will attract strict sanctions.
“CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: All schools must implement co-curricular programmes including sports, which are mandatory in Edo State schools.
“SCHOOL SANITATION: All schools must maintain a clean and hygienic environment at all times Learning environments in all schools must be safe, child-friendly, and value-oriented.
“Weekly sanitation exercises must be observed, and students should be involved in keeping their classrooms clean. Heads of schools will be held accountable for poor sanitary conditions.
However, keeping the school tidy should not in any way hinder effective teaching and learning which should commence from the first day of resumption.
“ATTENDANCE AND LOITERING:
Executive Principals should ensure that both staff and students are regular and punctual at school. Daily attendance must be taken for all students.
“Loitering during school hours is strictly prohibited. Students found outside their classrooms without valid reasons shall face disciplinary measures while their principals sanctioned as appropriate. All School heads are expected to enforce full compliance with attendance policies.
” MANDATORY ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS TRAINING FOR JSS 3 STUDENTS – NEW TRADE SUBJECTS: All Executive Principals and school
“Heads of Junior Secondary Schools in the State are hereby informed that, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing reforms to bolster entrepreneurship skills among basic education students before graduation, a mandatory four-week intensive entrepreneurship skills training program has been introduced for all JSS 3 students.
“This is in line with the transformation drive of our education-loving Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, in ensuring that every Edo child graduates with not just an academic certificate but also a hands-on skill. A certificate of training will be issued along with the BECE certificate.
“Recall also that, effective from January 2025, the Basic Education Curriculum was expanded to include fifteen (15) new trade subjects,
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Non-compliance will attract severe sanctions, including the immediate closure of the school without prior notice, and the School Head/Owner shall be prosecuted in accordance with the Education Law and other statutory frameworks of the Ministry.
“EXAMINATION CONDUCT: All forms of examination malpractice and irregularities must be eradicated. School administrators, teachers, and learners must uphold honesty and credibility during all internal and external examinations. Any breach will attract strict sanctions.
“CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: All schools must implement co-curricular programmes including sports, which are mandatory in Edo State schools.
“SCHOOL SANITATION: All schools must maintain a clean and hygienic environment at all times Learning environments in all schools must be safe, child-friendly, and value-oriented. Weekly sanitation exercises must be observed, and students should be involved in keeping their classrooms clean. Heads of schools will be held accountable for poor sanitary conditions.
However, keeping the school tidy should not in any way hinder effective teaching and learning which should commence from the first day of resumption.
“ATTENDANCE AND LOITERING: Executive Principals should ensure that both staff and students are regular and punctual at school. Daily attendance must be taken for all students.
“Loitering during school hours is strictly prohibited. Students found outside their classrooms without valid reasons shall face disciplinary measures while their principals sanctioned as appropriate. All School heads are expected to enforce full compliance with attendance policies.
“MANDATORY ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS TRAINING FOR JSS 3 STUDENTS – NEW TRADE SUBJECTS: All Executive Principals and school
“Heads of Junior Secondary Schools in the State are hereby informed that, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing reforms to bolster entrepreneurship skills among basic education students before graduation, a mandatory four-week intensive entrepreneurship skills training program has been introduced for all JSS 3 students.
This is in line with the transformation drive of our education-loving Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, in ensuring that every Edo child graduates with not just an academic certificate but also a hands-on skill. A certificate of training will be issued along with the BECE certificate.
“Recall also that, effective from January 2025, the Basic Education Curriculum was expanded to include fifteen (15) new trade subjects,
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designed to enhance employability through practical, hands-on learning.
“Therefore, training and assessment directives are as follows:
“Every JSS 3 student must select at least one trade subject from the newly introduced list below.
“Students are required to sit for the trade subject assessment immediately following the BECE practical.
“Failure to take the entrepreneurship skills subject will result in disqualification from accessing the BECE certificate.
“All JSS 3 students must remain in school for the entrepreneurship intensive training after the BECE.
“The 15 Newly Approved Trade Subjects Are:
Plumbing
Tiling and Floor Works
POP (Plaster of Paris) Installation
Event Decoration and Management
Bakery and Confectioneries
Hairstyling
Makeup
Interior Design
GSM Repairs
Satellite/TV Antenna Installation
CCTV, Intercom Installation, and Maintenance
Solar Installation and Maintenance
Garment Making
14.Agriculture and Processing (including crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, and livestock farming)
Basic Digital Literacy (IT and Robotics)
Action required by all school Heads:
Executive Principals and school Heads are to communicate the requirements of this memo to all JSS 3 students, parents, and staff.
Update school timetables to accommodate the entrepreneurship training period.
Ensure students understand that completion of the trade subject is critical for eligibility to receive their BECE certificate. For any further clarifications or guidance, contact the Department of Education Resource Centre of the Ministry.
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6) UNDERTAKING BY NEW INTAKES: All newly admitted students must sign an Undertaking of Good Behaviour along with their parents/guardians (template attached). Signed copies are to be submitted to the Chief Inspector of Education in the relevant LGA, and a copy retained by the school head. Deadline: Two weeks from the date of resumption.
“All School Heads, Executive Principals are directed to fully comply with the content of this memo. Any act of non-compliance will attract serious sanctions as determined by the Ministry”,
Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, Honourable Commissioner for Education,
Edo State.