The Oyo State Government has officially banned ‘sign out’ celebrations by final year students in both public and private schools in all of its 33 Local Government Areas.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, during the 2025/2026 pre-resumption meeting with public secondary schools principals held at Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan.
The directive came in response to increasing reports of misconducts, violence, and public disturbances associated with such events.
Hon. Olayiwola also reiterated the enforcement of the existing ban on mobile phone usage by students in schools, emphasising that such devices pose significant distractions, facilitate access to non-educational content, and could contribute to cyber bullying and misconduct.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Education commended principals for their dedication to shaping young minds and maintaining educational standards in the State.
He stressed that no student should face financial barriers in pursuit of education, and principals must avoid unauthorised levies or illegal fees to ensure education remains accessible.
Hon. Olayiwola further highlighted the importance of staff punctuality and active engagement in teaching, while underscoring the need to maintain student safety and security.
“Schools must remain free of violence, bullying, and intimidation to protect adolescents during their formative years,” the Commissioner stressed..
In addition, principals were directed to recommend only government-approved textbooks, selected for their quality, reusability, and alignment with the curriculum, stressing that compliance with these directives would be closely monitored by the Ministry of Education.
Earlier in her goodwill message, the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Olubukola Oladipupo, urged principals and teachers to seek clarification before writing petitions, assuring of her openness to constructive dialogue for the improvement of education in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Bamidele Oyinloye, in her welcome address, reiterated the importance of diligence and adherence to rules and regulations in school management.
Representatives of key education bodies, including the Oyo State President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Comrade Akinoye Christopher, and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) State Chairman, Comrade Raji Oladimeji, praised Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde for prioritising the welfare of workers, particularly teachers, and pledged their support to make the academic year successful and impactful for students.
