Anambra Sanctions Seven Schools Over Graduation Party Levy, Orders Refunds Within One Month

By Ichie Times

The Anambra State Government has sanctioned seven private schools for violating its ban on graduation parties and ordered them to refund all monies collected from parents within one month or face immediate closure.

The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, during a meeting with proprietors of the affected schools, as the government intensified enforcement of its policy against unauthorized levies and graduation celebrations in schools across the state.

Dr. Ogugua directed the affected schools to refund all monies collected from parents for graduation parties and submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to the Ministry of Education within the stipulated one month.

He warned that any school that fails to comply with the directive would be sealed and shut down.

> “Schools must refund all monies collected from parents for graduation parties within one month and submit verifiable evidence of the refunds to the Ministry of Education. Any school that fails to comply will face immediate sealing and closure,” the Commissioner said.

The affected schools are Kings School, Amawbia; Paraiso Montessori School, Awka; Bluepoint School, Awka; Favour Dot Queen Academy, Awka; Little Angel British School, Aguleri; Handmaid Infant Jesus Nursery and Primary School, Awka; and Frobel Height Academy, Awka.

According to the Commissioner, the enforcement is aimed at stopping the imposition of unauthorized levies on parents under the guise of graduation celebrations, while ensuring that private and public schools operate in line with approved education policies.

He said the government was particularly concerned about the financial pressure placed on parents through compulsory payments for graduation parties and similar activities, especially at a time when families are already facing increasing education costs.

Dr. Ogugua further warned schools across the state against violating the directive, stressing that monitoring teams would continue inspections across the various education zones to identify and sanction defaulters.

He said the policy was part of the state’s broader efforts to promote discipline, uphold standards and protect parents from avoidable financial burdens within the education system.

The Ministry of Education urged school proprietors, administrators, parents and other stakeholders to support the policy and ensure full compliance.

The latest sanctions signal the Anambra State Government’s determination to enforce discipline in the education sector and ensure that schools do not impose unauthorized financial obligations on parents.