by Abiodun Oyewo
The recent directive by the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology banning graduation ceremonies and end-of-session parties in schools across the state is a commendable decision that deserves the support of all stakeholders, especially from a security perspective.
In recent times, school graduation ceremonies and year-end parties have gradually shifted from simple academic celebrations to elaborate social gatherings that attract large crowds, including uninvited guests, vendors, entertainers, and individuals whose identities are often unknown to school authorities. Such gatherings have become potential soft targets for criminal elements who exploit crowded environments to perpetrate various crimes.
From a security standpoint, these events pose several challenges, including:
1. Exposure of Children to Security Risks
Graduation ceremonies often bring together large numbers of pupils, students, parents, and visitors. The concentration of minors in a single location increases their vulnerability to kidnapping, child trafficking, and other criminal activities. Given the prevailing security realities in the country, schools must prioritize the safety of learners above social celebrations.
2. Traffic and Crowd Management Concerns
Many schools lack adequate facilities for crowd control and parking management. Consequently, graduation events often result in traffic congestion, disorderliness, and confusion around school premises, creating opportunities for criminals to operate unnoticed.
3. Increased Cases of Theft and Related Crimes
Large gatherings provide opportunities for pickpockets, phone snatchers, and other criminal elements to prey on unsuspecting parents and guests. Such incidents have been recorded in various public gatherings across the country.
4. Financial Pressure on Parents
Beyond security concerns, many schools impose excessive charges on parents under the guise of graduation fees, party levies, costumes, souvenirs, and entertainment expenses. This places unnecessary financial burdens on families already grappling with economic challenges.
5. Unnecessary Public Exposure
Some schools publicize graduation events extensively on social media and other platforms, inadvertently exposing children and their families to security threats. In an era where criminals monitor online activities, discretion remains a vital security principle.
Academic Progression Is Not the Measure of Success
Private school proprietors and administrators should therefore adhere strictly to the government’s directive. It is important to note that moving from Primary School to Secondary School or from Secondary School to a Higher Institution is not the ultimate yardstick for measuring a student’s success in life.
True success is determined by the quality of education received, character development, moral values, discipline, hard work, and the ability of the student to make positive contributions to society. These achievements do not require extravagant ceremonies or expensive celebrations to validate them.
Parents should focus more on nurturing responsible, knowledgeable, and productive children rather than spending enormous resources on ceremonies that offer little academic value and may expose their wards to avoidable security risks.
Conclusion
The Ogun State Government has demonstrated foresight by taking proactive measures to protect learners, parents, and the public from avoidable security threats while also discouraging exploitative practices in the education sector. School owners, parents, and all stakeholders should support and comply fully with this directive in the interest of public safety, economic prudence, and the overall well-being of our children.
Security remains everyone’s responsibility, and prevention will always be better than reaction.
Com. Abiodun Oyewo, MNACSP
Security Analyst
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