Edo State Sets September 9, 2024, for Resumption of 2024/2025 Academic Session, Issues Guidelines for Private Schools

The Edo State Government has officially set Monday, September 9, 2024, as the resumption date for the 2024/2025 academic session. In preparation for the new school year, the Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Directorate of Educational Quality and Accountability, has released a detailed set of guidelines for all private schools to ensure uniformity and quality in education across the state.

The newly issued guidelines stress the importance of adhering to the mandatory resumption date, ensuring that all academic activities in private schools commence on the specified day.

A key aspect of the guidelines focuses on the Middle Basic Assessment eligibility, which requires students to be at least 11 years old to participate. The directive further emphasizes that students who are ineligible this year must be promoted to Primary 6 instead of Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1). The state’s education authorities have also made it clear that skipping from Primary 5 to JSS 1 will no longer be allowed, in a bid to standardize student progression across all schools.

Private schools are also expected to offer a complete range of classes, from Kindergarten (KG 1-3) to Basic 1-9, covering both primary and junior secondary levels. Schools must ensure that students are placed in classes according to the appropriate age levels, particularly in Kindergarten and Primary 1, to maintain educational consistency.

The guidelines also address textbook selection, urging schools to use books that are suitable for the respective class levels and aligned with the national policy on education. Textbooks meant for higher grades are not to be used in lower classes to avoid curriculum misalignment.

In a statement signed by Dr. Rosaline Osemetiti Okosun, Acting Director General of the Directorate of Educational Quality and Accountability, the state government warned that failure to comply with the harmonized academic calendar and these guidelines would result in fines of up to Two Million Naira.

This comprehensive directive reinforces Edo State’s commitment to ensuring high educational standards and equity across all private schools, while creating a more effective and uniform learning environment for students.

Schools are urged to fully comply with the new guidelines as the state gears up for the start of the academic session.