Parents, pupils, and proprietors weigh impact of new policies
The Ondo State Government has rolled out sweeping reforms in the education sector, aimed at sanitizing private school operations and restoring the state’s once enviable academic reputation.
The reforms, announced by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, during a stakeholders’ meeting with private school proprietors from all 18 local government areas, mark one of the most comprehensive interventions in the state’s education system in recent years.
Key Reforms
Among the measures introduced are:
Prohibition of unregistered and illegal schools.
Ban on elaborate graduation ceremonies for nursery pupils and Junior Secondary School 3 students.
Mandatory re-accreditation of all private schools for quality assurance.
Strict adherence to the official school calendar and use of approved textbooks.
Ban on foreign or unapproved curricula and learning resources unsuitable for pupils’ ages.
Six-month grace period for proprietors of illegal schools to secure proper approvals.
Prohibition of underage admissions, admission without transfer certificates, and unauthorized excursions.
Warning against compulsory extra lessons and exploitation of parents through yearly textbook changes.
Prof. Ajibefun emphasized that government’s goal was not to stifle private participation but to ensure quality and protect children.
> “It is obvious that things have gone bad in the education sector. There are urgent issues we need to address so that we can bring back the lost glory.
When you run an unapproved school, you are running an illegal business. This administration will not allow illegalities,” he said.
He further revealed that all schools in the state—public and private—would soon be integrated into a new education digital platform as part of government’s modernization agenda.
> “Any school that cannot meet the irreducible minimum standard should consider another business,” he warned.
Stakeholders React
Private school proprietors welcomed some of the reforms but expressed concerns about the pace of implementation. Many appealed for more time to meet the accreditation requirements and called for a reduction in bureaucracy.
Mrs. Folasade Ogidan, who runs a private primary school in Akure, said while she supports quality assurance, the sudden enforcement could affect smaller schools struggling to survive.
> “Government should balance standards with sustainability. If all small schools are forced to close down at once, many children will be stranded,” she warned.
Parents, however, applauded the crackdown on exploitative practices, especially compulsory textbook purchases and excessive graduation ceremonies.
A parent, Mr. Kehinde Olumide, noted that such measures would reduce financial pressure on families.
> “Some schools change textbooks every year even when the content has not changed. If the government enforces this, it will really help parents,” he said.
Students also welcomed the ban on underage admissions and curriculum reforms. A JSS 3 pupil, who gave her name as Esther, said:
> “Sometimes we are given books that are too advanced for our level. It makes learning stressful. If government checks this, learning will be easier.”
Restoring Lost Glory
Ondo State was once renowned as a pace-setter in education in Nigeria, producing generations of scholars and professionals. Observers say the reforms are an attempt to reclaim that legacy after years of decline caused by mushroom schools, poor regulation, and declining standards.
Education experts argue that if well implemented, the reforms could reposition the state’s school system as a model in the country.
Dr. Ayodele Akinrinlola, a retired educationist, noted:
> “The state must not only announce reforms but also follow through with strong monitoring and enforcement. Otherwise, the same problems will resurface.”
The Road Ahead
The coming months will be crucial as private school operators adjust to the new reality. While the six-month grace period offers a temporary cushion, proprietors fear that smaller schools may struggle with re-accreditation costs.
For government, the challenge will be striking a balance between enforcing standards and ensuring access to education, especially in rural communities where private schools often fill the gap left by limited public schools.
As Ondo State tightens regulation, all eyes will be on how these reforms reshape the sector, and whether they will truly restore the lost academic glory the state once proudly held.
