Nigerian parents burdened by expensive school graduation parties – Iche
By Naomi Onome
Human rights advocate Comrade Prince Saviour Iche in a recent article shed light on the issue of mandatory graduation parties in schools in Lagos State. He says the end-of-session school party has become a significant financial burden for many parents in Nigeria.
He noted that some schools charge exorbitant fees for these parties, which can be as high as ₦100,000 or more, depending on the location. This has led to concerns about the impact on parents who are already struggling to pay school fees, rent, and other essential expenses.
Some arguments in support of regulating or abolishing these parties include:
– Reducing the financial burden on parents, especially those with multiple children
– Preventing schools from exploiting parents for financial gain
– Promoting equality among students, as some may feel left out or embarrassed if their parents can’t afford the party fees
According to Iche, others might argue that graduation parties can be a meaningful way to celebrate students’ achievements and milestones. Schools may use these parties as an opportunity to teach students about planning, organisation, and community involvement.
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He further said,
“The university graduation ceremony is welcomed and seen as compulsory, but the primary and secondary school graduation strategy is uncalled for if it remains an exorbitant expense.”
“It should be noted that there are other school expenses such as books, holiday lesson fees, and others, which are valid responsibilities for parents. In my opinion, if a school graduation party must take place, then the financial implication must be reasonable, not exorbitant.”
He revealed that Imo State and Edo State have already taken steps to address this issue by putting laws in place to regulate or abolish mandatory school parties. Urges the minister of education to implement similar laws in other states and potentially a national policy to standardise practices across the country.
What does the public think would be the most effective way to implement such a policy, and how could schools find alternative ways to celebrate students’ achievements without placing a financial burden on parents?
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