No Graduation Parties Allowed, Prize-Giving Must Be Modest Without Parties — Delta Education Commissioner

ASABA, DELTA STATE — The Delta State Ministry of Secondary Education has reiterated its strict ban on graduation parties and other end-of-session social celebrations across all public and private schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, reaffirmed the policy in a phone interview with Oasis Magazine on Thursday, stressing that while schools may recognize academic excellence, such recognition must be done in a modest and controlled manner without parties or social festivities.

According to him, the government’s position remains unchanged despite confusion among some private school owners over how to conduct end-of-term and graduation-related activities.

Rewarding Excellence Without Parties

Dr. Ashibogwu explained that schools are permitted to organize prize-giving ceremonies, but such events must be simple, orderly, and free from any form of celebration or entertainment that resembles a party.

“You are going to organize prize-giving, it must be without a party. Prize-giving could be done at the assembly ground. That is rewarding excellence. You can reward excellence without a party.”

He noted that the ministry had earlier issued a circular on the matter and is only reiterating its existing directive ahead of the new academic cycle.

“We made one before, and we are just reiterating it now. There is an absolute ban on parties for graduating classes.”

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No Room for Loopholes

The commissioner warned against attempts by some schools to disguise graduation parties as “prize-giving days,” insisting that the policy is clear and leaves no room for misinterpretation.

He said the state government maintains zero tolerance for activities that undermine discipline and academic standards in schools.

“The position is very clear now, it doesn’t need interpretation,” he said. “Just as we have zero tolerance for exam malpractice and extortion, we are also saying zero tolerance for immoral activities that will distort academic excellence.”

Celebrations Must Be Outside School Premises

Dr. Ashibogwu emphasized that while parents are free to celebrate their children privately, such celebrations must not take place within school premises or during school hours.

“If you want to organize a party, you could organize yourselves in your parlour—with the father, the mother and the children—and dance till the next day, fine and good. But not within school premises, not within school hours,” he added.

The directive is expected to guide school administrators as they prepare for end-of-session activities, ensuring compliance with government policy while maintaining a focus on academic recognition rather than social celebrations.