The Sokoto State Government has officially banned all forms of “signing-out” celebrations by graduating secondary school students across the state.
Announcing the directive on Thursday, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof Ahmad Ladan Ala, said the decision was necessary due to a disturbing rise in student misconduct, vandalism, and disruption of public peace linked to such end-of-school events.
The order affects both public and private secondary schools.
“All principals have been directed to take immediate steps to prevent students from organising or participating in any form of signing-out celebrations, whether within or outside school premises,” Ala said.
He noted that what was once a simple celebratory gesture has now “degenerated into activities that undermine the values of discipline, academic focus, and responsible conduct.”
The ministry also appealed to parents and guardians to cooperate with the directive by discouraging their children from joining any signing-out events.
The enforcement notice, signed by the Director of Examination Matters, Abubakar Abdullahi, calls for total compliance by all school heads in the state.
In many Nigerian schools, signing-out celebrations typically involve final-year students marking the end of exams by writing farewell messages on each other’s uniforms, dancing, and sometimes engaging in unruly behaviour.
Sokoto’s ban signals a tougher stance on student discipline as the state seeks to uphold decorum and learning values within its education system.
