Soludo bans Christmas parties in schools, says they are used to extort parents

By Desire Emmanuel

Following incessant complaints from parents about the exorbitant charges imposed by schools in the name of organising Christmas parties for pupils and students, Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, on Friday, announced a total ban on such parties across schools in the state.

There were reports that some schools in the state charge as high as N30,000 on each students for Christmas parties, and many parents have kicked against such, as they said it was quite difficult to pay school fees, and the money for Christmas parties is an additional burden to them.

Apparently responding to their complaint, Soludo announced on Friday that no school should hold any Christmas party for pupils and students at the end of the current First Term.

Apart from this, the governor also placed a ban on graduation parties in primary and secondary schools, while also saying that pupils and students should no longer write inside their textbooks so that parents would not be buying books every session.

Soludo gave the directive during a campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Friday at Awka North, ahead of the November 8, governorship election.

He said that the move was part of his administration’s effort to make education more affordable and equitable for all families.

The governor expressed concern over what he described as unnecessary expenses imposed on parents through Christmas parties..

“This is to owners and administrators of government, private and mission schools in Anambra. We have set out some basic standards to ensure that the poor are not made to spend so much just because their children are in school.

Soludo also frowned on the practice of organising ‘graduation ceremonies’ for pupils moving from one class to another, which often require parents to pay for gowns or buy new clothes, saying such activities are unnecessary and exploitative.

Soludo warned that the state government would begin strict enforcement of the new directives, adding that any school found violating them would be sealed.

“These activities will end in Anambra schools because we will begin enforcement and any school that fails to comply or violates these standards will be closed.

“I will personally see to that. And when we seal your school, you can go to court. We will meet there,” he said.