The Anambra State Government has sanctioned seven private schools for violating its ban on graduation parties and ordered them to refund all monies collected from parents within one month or face immediate closure.
According to information obtained from the website of the state Ministry of Education on Sunday, the directive was issued by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Ogugua, during a meeting with proprietors of the affected schools.
Ogugua said the government had intensified enforcement of its policy against unauthorised levies and graduation celebrations in schools across the state.
He directed the affected schools to refund all monies collected from parents for graduation parties and submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to the Ministry of Education within one month.
He said, “Schools must refund all monies collected from parents for graduation parties within one month and submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to the Ministry of Education.
“Any school that fails to comply with the directive will face immediate sealing and closure.
“The affected schools are Kings School, Amawbia; Paraiso Montessori School, Awka; Bluepoint School, Awka; Favour Dot Queen Academy, Awka; Little Angel British School, Aguleri; Handmaid Infant Jesus Nursery and Primary School, Awka; and Frobel Height Academy, Awka.
“The enforcement is aimed at stopping the imposition of unauthorised levies on parents under the guise of graduation celebrations, while ensuring that private and public schools operate in line with approved education policies.”
According to the commissioner, the government was particularly concerned about the financial pressure placed on parents through compulsory payments for graduation parties and similar activities, especially at a time when families were already facing increasing education costs.
Ogugua further warned schools across the state against violating the directive, stressing that monitoring teams would continue inspections across the various education zones to identify and sanction defaulters.
He said the policy was part of the state’s broader efforts to promote discipline, uphold standards and protect parents from avoidable financial burdens within the education system.
“The Ministry of Education urges school proprietors, administrators, parents and other stakeholders to support the policy and ensure full compliance.
“The latest sanctions signal the state government’s determination to enforce discipline in the education sector and ensure that schools do not impose unauthorised financial obligations on parents,” the statement added.
