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By Rita Ugo
As graduation day draws near, students in the country are filled with expectations and emotions as they reflect on their academic journey and are looking forward to celebrate the end of another accomplishment.
Speaking with Daily Sun, some parents and students shared their excitement for the graduation day as both public and private schools put finishing touches to celebrate some outstanding students.
Also, it is another opportunity for schools to celebrate outstanding teachers and parents for their patronage.
A parent, Mrs. Theresa Ugo, a nurse, said that the cost of graduation is becoming too expensive these days, considering the country’s economic situation. She compared the ceremony with when her first child graduated in 2017.
Ugo explained that some schools are trying to “overdo” it, and urged school principals to remember that not all fingers are equal in the sense that not all parent can afford to pay the absurd bills but have no choice than to pay as they would not want their child to be left out.
According to her, the preparation for her child’s graduation is still in progress, “I can’t give my daughter everything, I will make sure that she looks presentable and neat on that day. I will make sure that she cuts her coat according to her size in order not to inconvenience the family,” she said.
Despite her reservation, she acknowledged the importance of the graduation ceremony, saying, “it is something to be happy about. We want to applaud them for the steps they have taken and encourage them to go higher.”
Mr. Franklin Ezeji, CEO of TDS Hitech Solutions LTD, talked about the importance of the graduation ceremony and described it as the end of a particular phase in the academic journey of the students, thus an occasion to be celebrated and even referred the graduation ceremony as a “thanksgiving”.
He also said that it is an opportunity for the graduating students to see each other for the last time as some of them may choose to further their education in different parts of the world.
Ezeji noted that some schools have made it easier for parents by incorporating the graduation fees into the school fees so that they don’t have any need to pay for it later.
Another parent, Mr. Thomas Ezeh, a businessman, has a contrasting view and observed that the graduation fees is becoming higher and that parents have no other option than to pay for it. He further emphasized the fact that graduating parties is a norm in private schools and is hardly celebrated in public schools.
Ezeh disclosed that he does not want to spend much on this year’s ceremony due the fact that his child is not among the graduating class.
A graduating student in SS111, Emmanuel Precious, Command Day Secondary School, Oshodi, Lagos, shared her excitement and looked forward to the graduation ceremony.
Emmanuel however emphasized that she is still focusing on completing her forthcoming examinations and expect that her parents would make her look presentable on that day.
She talked about how unnecessary it is for students who are not part of the graduating class to pay for the graduation party, calling it a “waste of money.”
The final year student insisted that graduation ceremony is important, especially for SS111 students, as it is the last time they would be in contact with their classmates and teachers, thus the need to celebrate with each other.
The cost for graduation parties varies from school to school. For final year students, most schools determine what they wear on such occasion.
The graduation parties are celebrated more in private schools than public schools. The event is seen as a departing party for many of the students who may not see each other.
For some schools, the graduation ceremony is an venue to celebrate outstanding performance of their students and present prizes to them.
In the end, the graduation ceremony is a significant event, as it is a once in a lifetime experience for the students as well as many families who will treasure it forever. Despite the expenses, the memories and emotions that come with it are priceless. Another parent, Mr. Johnson (surname withheld), a media production staff, also spoke against the absurd and expensive dress codes that schools demand graduating wear for the ceremony.
He described the dress code as completely unnecessary and that school principals should be considerate and think about parents’ financial capabilities, as some children have new clothes and shoes already saved for the occasion and because of the dress code, the parent will buy another one and some parents may not be able to afford such specific or expensive attire as required by the school.
“Some schools even go as far as telling parents to purchase the graduation attire directly from the school,” he said.
Johnson argued that the graduation ceremony should be for only the graduating students, noting that schools have made it mandatory for all students, including those who are not graduating to participate in the ceremony, “as a means for some schools to make extra money from parents.”
