Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has taken steps to ease the financial burden of parents and guardians sending their children and wards to school.
The Governor’s latest directive to the Ministry of Education will ensure publishers do not continuously rip off parents and guardians by consistent change of academic books every year.
The new policies will also ensure stability, consistency, and improved quality learning across the state effective from the new academic session of 2025/2026.
The new policies are:
The Governor wants the reuse of textbooks to enable younger siblings to use approved textbooks previously purchased by their older siblings, pointing out that all approved textbooks will remain in use for a minimum of four years before review by the Ministry.
The vexed issue of ostentatious display of wealth during graduation ceremony also caught the attention of the governor, who has directed that graduation ceremonies are strictly reserved for pupils, who have completed Basic Education (Primary 1-JSS 3) and Senior Secondary 3 (SSS 3).
He pointed out that at these levels, only modest celebrations will be allowed, as so called prom parties are prohibited, and pre-basic pupils (nursery/kindergarten, primary 6) are not permitted to hold graduation ceremonies or parties.
He also directed Mandatory Entrepreneurship Skills Training for JSS 3 Students In line with ongoing reforms and the inclusion of new trade subjects in the basic education curriculum, adding all JSS 3 students will undergo compulsory entrepreneurship skills training before graduation.
Gov. Okpebholo said starting from the 2025/2026 academic session, every JSS 3 graduate will be issued two certificates: The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), and A Skills Acquisition Certificate in their chosen trade subject.
The Ministry reaffirms its unwavering commitment to producing students who are not only academically sound but also equipped with practical entrepreneurial skills to thrive in today’s world.”
