News

Edo Issues New Guideline On Education, Says Siblings’ Textbooks Transferable, Bans Graduation For KGs, Others, [A MUST READ]

Published

5 months ago

August 19, 2025

Edo State Government has issued new guidelines on education for both basic and secondary schools in the state.

The educational guidelines were contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu.

Below is the full statement:

POLICY ON EDUCATION FOR BASIC AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EDO STATE

The Edo State Ministry of Education is committed to providing clear policy direction on all educational matters while ensuring quality, standards, and inclusiveness across the State’s education system.

2. In line with the National and State Policies on Education, the Edo State Education Law and other relevant statutory frameworks, the Ministry hereby issues the following policy guidelines, which all schools (public, private, and faith-based) in Edo State are required to strictly comply with:

(1) APPROVED TEXTBOOKS: Only textbooks recommended and approved by the Ministry are permitted in all schools across the State.

2) USAGE OF APPROVED TEXTBOOKS: To promote stability and consistency in learning, schools must henceforth allow younger siblings to use
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approved textbooks previously purchased by their older siblings. Approved textbooks are designed to remain in use for a minimum of four (4) years before any review by the Ministry.

3) TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS DESIGN:
a) Authors and publishers are hereby reminded that no textbook should contain workspaces within its content.
b) Henceforth, any textbook that includes workspaces will be derecognized by the Ministry.
c) Workbooks shall henceforth be produced and used separately from textbooks.

4) GRADUATION CEREMONIES IN SCHOOLS: In line with the provisions of the National and Edo State Policies on Education, henceforth, only students who have completed the Basic 1-9 and Senior Secondary 3 are permitted to hold modest graduation celebrations. However, promenade (prom) ceremonies are highly discouraged as it encourages indecency amongst the students. For the avoidance of doubt, all Pre-Basic pupils are not allowed to embark on graduation ceremonies and parties across the State. This policy is aimed at ensuring that pupils, students, parents, guardians, stakeholders, and school managers remain focused on achieving quality learning outcomes at the conclusion of each educational level.

5) BINDING
EDUCATIONAL STATUTORY DOCUMENTS: School administrators are once again advised to acquaint themselves with the statutory documents that govern and regulate the standard operations of schools in the State. These include the Education Law, the National and Edo State Policies on Education, Ministry of Education circulars, and other regulatory instruments. Compliance with these documents is mandatory. In particular, the National and Edo State Policies on Education, which equally uphold the following principles:
a) All basic classes are compulsory, including Basic 6 (Primary 6).
b) Skipping of classes is strictly prohibited at all levels of education.
c) Moving pupils / students from lower class to certificate class unduly simply to write Middle Basic Assessment (MBA) or Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is highly prohibited;
d) Use of the National Curriculum is compulsory; additional curricula are optional and cannot replace the national standard.
e) Only qualified teachers are to be engaged for classroom instruction and academic activities in all schools.
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f) Teachers and school leaders in all schools are expected to model discipline, professionalism, and commitment to duty at all times.
g) The Middle Basic Assessment (MBA) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are mandatory for all basic schools in the State.
h) The minimum age of a pupil to write MBA (primary 6) remains 10 yrs.
i) On social safeguards in all Schools, no food is allowed as gift to learners without the approval of parents.
J) Attending seminars during school hours in public schools without Ministry’s approval is prohibited.
k) Students on field trips are to be lodged with their chaperones on same-gender basis only.

(6) HARMONISED SCHOOL CALENDAR: All schools in the State are to strictly adhere to the harmonised school calendar issued by the Ministry for the 2025/2026 academic session. Any parallel calendar is prohibited. Violations will attract appropriate sanctions.

7) SALE OF BOOKS: All public school heads must provide the approved list of books and learning materials for students. The sale of books by school staff is strictly prohibited. No parent shall be coerced to purchase books from a specific vendor.

8) ADMISSION INTO JSS1 CLASS: Admission into JSS1 shall be strictly based on successful completion of primary education and evidence to have completed Primary Six and written the Middle Basic Assessment (MBA). Admission is FREE in all public schools and must be properly documented.

(9) ADMISSION INTO SS1 AND TECH 1 CLASSES: Admission into SS1 and Tech 1 classes shall be strictly based on successful completion of basic education, that is, with evidence to have completed and written Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Admission is FREE in all public schools. Upon releases of BECE results by the Ministry, all Executive Principals / school heads should request their students who failed the core subjects to retake them. Transfer cases from other schools must be properly verified and documented by the receiving school.

10)ADMISSION INTO CERTIFICATE CLASSES (PRIMARY 6, JSS 3, SS 3, TECH 3): All schools (public and private) are hereby reminded that the Ministry’s policy prohibiting admission into certificate classes (Primary 6, JSS 3, SS 3 and Tech 3) without the written approval of the Honourable Commissioner for Education remains strictly in force. Schools are not permitted to admit new students into these classes without official clearance and approval by the Honourable Commissioner for Education.

Non-compliance will attract severe sanctions, including the immediate closure of the school without prior notice, and the School Head/Owner shall be prosecuted in accordance with the Education Law and other statutory frameworks of the Ministry.

11)EXAMINATION CONDUCT: All forms of examination malpractice and irregularities must be eradicated. School administrators, teachers, and learners must uphold honesty and credibility during all internal and external examinations. Any breach will attract strict sanctions.

12)CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: All schools must implement co-curricular
programmes including sports, which are mandatory in Edo State schools.

13)SCHOOL SANITATION: All schools must maintain a clean and hygienic environment at all times Learning environments in all schools must be safe, child-friendly, and value-oriented. Weekly sanitation exercises must be observed, and students should be involved in keeping their classrooms clean. Heads of schools will be held accountable for poor sanitary conditions. However, keeping the school tidy should not in any way hinder effective teaching and learning which should commence from the first day of resumption.

(14)ATTENDANCE AND LOITERING: Executive Principals should ensure that both staff and students are regular and punctual at school. Daily attendance must be taken for all students. Loitering during school hours is strictly prohibited. Students found outside their classrooms without valid reasons shall face disciplinary measures while their principals sanctioned as appropriate. All School heads are expected to enforce full compliance with attendance policies.

15) MANDATORY ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS TRAINING FOR JSS 3 STUDENTS – NEW TRADE SUBJECTS: All Executive Principals and school
Heads of Junior Secondary Schools in the State are hereby informed that, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing reforms to bolster entrepreneurship skills among basic education students before graduation, a mandatory four-week intensive entrepreneurship skills training program has been introduced for all JSS 3 students. This is in line with the transformation drive of our education-loving Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, in ensuring that every Edo child graduates with not just an academic certificate but also a hands-on skill. A certificate of training will be issued along with the BECE certificate.
Recall also that, effective from January 2025, the Basic Education Curriculum was expanded to include fifteen (15) new trade subjects,

12)CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: All schools must implement co-curricular
programmes including sports, which are mandatory in Edo State schools.

14)ATTENDANCE AND LOITERING: Executive Principals should ensure that
both staff and students are regular and punctual at school. Daily attendance must be taken for all students. Loitering during school hours is strictly prohibited. Students found outside their classrooms without valid reasons shall face disciplinary measures while their principals sanctioned as appropriate. All School heads are expected to enforce full compliance with attendance policies.

15) MANDATORY ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS TRAINING FOR JSS 3 STUDENTS – NEW TRADE SUBJECTS:

All Executive Principals and school
Heads of Junior Secondary Schools in the State are hereby informed that, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing reforms to bolster entrepreneurship skills among basic education students before graduation, a mandatory four-week intensive entrepreneurship skills training program has been introduced for all JSS 3 students. This is in line with the transformation drive of our education-loving Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, in ensuring that every Edo child graduates with not just an academic certificate but also a hands-on skill. A certificate of training will be issued along with the BECE certificate.
Recall also that, effective from January 2025, the Basic Education Curriculum was expanded to include fifteen (15) new trade subjects,

designed to enhance employability through practical, hands-on learning.

Therefore, training and assessment directives are as follows:

Every JSS 3 student must select at least one trade subject from the newly introduced list below.

Students are required to sit for the trade subject assessment immediately following the BECE practical.

Failure to take the entrepreneurship skills subject will result in disqualification from accessing the BECE certificate.

All JSS 3 students must remain in school for the entrepreneurship intensive training after the BECE.

The 15 Newly Approved Trade Subjects Are:
1. Plumbing
2. Tiling and Floor Works
3. POP (Plaster of Paris) Installation
4. Event Decoration and Management
5. Bakery and Confectioneries
6. Hairstyling
7. Makeup
8. Interior Design
9. GSM Repairs
10. Satellite/TV Antenna Installation
11. CCTV, Intercom Installation, and Maintenance
12. Solar Installation and Maintenance
13. Garment Making
14.Agriculture and Processing (including crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, and livestock farming)
15. Basic Digital Literacy (IT and Robotics)
Action required by all school Heads:
Executive Principals and school Heads are to communicate the requirements of this memo to all JSS 3 students, parents, and staff.
Update school timetables to accommodate the entrepreneurship training period.
Ensure students understand that completion of the trade subject is critical for eligibility to receive their BECE certificate. For any further clarifications or guidance, contact the Department of Education Resource Centre of the Ministry.

6) UNDERTAKING BY NEW INTAKES: All newly admitted students must sign an Undertaking of Good Behaviour along with their parents/guardians (template attached). Signed copies are to be submitted to the Chief Inspector of Education in the relevant LGA, and a copy retained by the school head. Deadline: Two weeks from the date of resumption.
3. All School Heads, Executive Principals are directed to fully comply with the content of this memo. Any act of non-compliance will attract serious sanctions as determined by the Ministry.

Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, Honourable Commissioner for Education,
Edo State.

News

Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

Published

2 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study

The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

“This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

News

How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

Published

2 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

News

Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.