Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has banned graduation ceremonies and Christmas parties in schools across the State.
Soludo said the ban would help to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians.
The governor announced the ban during a campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at Awka North on Friday, ahead of the November 8, governorship election.
He said the move is part of his administration’s effort to make education more affordable and equitable for all families.
Soludo, who expressed concern over what he described as unnecessary expenses imposed on parents through school-related activities, said: “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.”
Soludo also frowned at the practice of organising graduation ceremonies for pupils moving from one class to another, which often entails parents paying for gowns or uniforms.
He described such activities as unnecessary and exploitative.
“Even Christmas parties, parents should not be made to pay . These are too many expenses on poor parents,” the governor said.
Soludo warned that the Anambra State Government would begin strict enforcement of the new directives, adding that any school found violating them would be sealed.
“I will personally see to that. And when we seal your school, you can go to court. We will meet there,” Soludo said.