‘No More Graduation Ceremonies, Christmas Parties’ — Anambra Govt Issues Fresh Order to Schools

• The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its ban on graduation ceremonies, Christmas parties and graduation levies in public primary and junior secondary schools.

The Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) has reiterated its directive banning public primary and junior secondary schools across the state from organising graduation ceremonies, Christmas parties and collecting graduation levies.

In a circular dated July 10, 2026, and signed by the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Dr. Justina Anyadiegwu, the board said the directive remains in line with the Anambra State Government’s existing policy prohibiting such activities in basic education schools.

The circular, addressed to Officers-in-Charge of Local Government Education Areas (LGEAs) and Education Secretaries across the state’s 21 local government areas, directed school administrators to strictly enforce the policy.

According to the circular, “No primary or junior secondary school shall organise or permit any graduation ceremony, graduation levy, Christmas party, or any related activity inconsistent with the government’s directive.”

It further stated, “All school heads are directed to ensure strict compliance with this policy. All LGEA officials and Education Secretaries are to disseminate the reminder to all schools within their jurisdictions and to monitor compliance.”

The board warned that any school found violating the directive would face appropriate administrative sanctions, while urging all stakeholders in the basic education sector to comply fully with the government’s policy.

The renewed reminder comes amid growing concerns from parents over rising school levies and elaborate graduation ceremonies organised for pupils outside terminal classes.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo first announced the ban in October 2025 as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians and make education more affordable across the state.

According to the governor, the policy is aimed at discouraging unnecessary expenses associated with school activities while promoting equitable access to education.

Expressing concern over what he described as avoidable financial pressure on parents, Soludo also directed schools to discontinue the use of textbooks designed for pupils to write in.

“This is to owners and administrators of government, private, and mission schools in Anambra: we have set out some basic standards to ensure that the poor are not made to spend so much just because their children are in school.

“One of the measures includes discontinuing the use of textbooks designed for students to write in. This practice forces parents to buy new textbooks annually. Once a child finishes a class, he should be able to pass on his textbooks to his younger siblings,” the governor had said.