ONDO MOVES TO SANITIZE PRIVATE SCHOOLS, BANS ILLEGAL OPERATIONS AND GRADUATION FOR NURSERY, JSS 3
The Ondo State Government has announced sweeping reforms to sanitize private school operations and restore the lost glory of its education sector. The measures include the re-accreditation of all private schools, a clampdown on illegal institutions, and the prohibition of graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and JSS 3 students.
These decisions were unveiled during a stakeholders’ meeting with school proprietors across the 18 Local Government Areas, chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun. He stressed that private schools remain critical partners in advancing education but must align with the state’s standards.
Ajibefun warned that schools operating illegally have six months to secure approval or face sanctions. He also disclosed that the government has banned the use of unapproved or foreign curricula, underage admissions, compulsory extra lessons, and unauthorized excursions, citing both quality assurance and security concerns. He added that elaborate graduation ceremonies for non-exit classes, particularly in nursery and JSS 3, are no longer permitted.
To ease financial pressure on parents, the state approved the re-use of textbooks in secondary schools, allowing siblings to use the same books across sessions. The commissioner emphasized strict compliance with the official curriculum, textbooks, school calendar, and public holidays as released by the Ministry.
Ajibefun assured private school owners of government’s support, noting plans to streamline the approval process, involve them in curriculum review, and collaborate on examination supervision. He stressed, however, that no school would be allowed to operate below the “irreducible minimum standard.”
Proprietors at the meeting appreciated the reforms and commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for appointing an education expert as commissioner. They, however, appealed for more time to meet the new accreditation requirements and urged government to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks in regulating private schools.
