Ondo Cracks Down on Early Common Entrance Registration for Primary School Pupils
The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has issued a strong warning to both public and private schools against the illegal practice of presenting pupils for the Common Entrance Examination before completing primary six.
The warning was given by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Igbekele Ajibefun, during a meeting with Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) and Area Education Officers (AEOs).
According to the commissioner, the ministry has noticed an increasing trend where some schools allow pupils to skip the final class of primary education and proceed directly to sit for entrance examinations into secondary school.
He explained that such a practice weakens the foundation of basic education, interrupts the natural academic development of children, and leaves many pupils emotionally and academically unprepared for the demands of secondary school.
Ajibefun directed, with immediate effect, that all school heads, proprietors, and proprietresses must ensure that pupils complete primary six before being registered for the next Common Entrance Examination.
He stated that only pupils who have successfully met all promotion requirements will be considered eligible for registration.
The commissioner also instructed schools to verify eligibility using official admission registers and end-of-year promotion records before presenting candidates for the examination.
He warned that the ministry would not tolerate manipulation of school records, adding that any school, head teacher, or government official found supporting the practice would face serious sanctions.
Such penalties, he said, include withdrawal of approval for examination registration and a complete ban from presenting candidates for future examinations.
Ajibefun further directed Zonal and Area Education Officers to carry out regular inspections of school records to ensure full compliance with the directive.
He also appealed to parents and guardians to stop pressuring schools into advancing their children prematurely, describing the shortcut as harmful to a child’s growth and a violation of established educational standards.
He assured residents that the ministry remains committed to protecting the integrity of the education system in Ondo State and ensuring that every child follows the proper academic path.
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