By Olasunkanmi Arowolo
Education policy often involves striking a delicate balance between cultural traditions, financial realities, and long-term learning outcomes. Two recent interventions in Nigeria highlight this challenge: the Imo State government’s ban on nursery and JSS3 graduation ceremonies, and the Federal Government’s new literacy drive with cash transfers to mothers. Both have generated strong reactions, but each offers lessons worth deeper reflection.
The
graduation ban: Beyond social fanfare
I recalled I was on a short weekend visit to a family where one of the persons
in the gathering showed me a viral video of glamorous graduation ceremonies by
nursery pupils; so, even featuring red carpets, grand arrivals like prom events
in the western part of the world, asking what my thoughts were about it. I
simply said: “this is an indicator of misplaced priorities.”
