“Ultimately, the greatest gift we can give our children is not an expensive souvenir, but an enduring appreciation for learning, achievement, good character and the pursuit of excellence.”
By Ismail Toba Ogunyomi
AYOBO IPAJA, LAGOS – As another academic session draws to a close, schools across our communities are preparing for graduation and prize-giving ceremonies.
These annual events have long been cherished as opportunities to celebrate learners’ achievements, recognise excellence, and strengthen the bond between schools, parents, and their host communities.
However, an emerging trend is beginning to overshadow the true essence of these celebrations. Increasingly, attention is shifting from the accomplishments of learners to the monetary value of the souvenirs and gifts distributed during the events.
In many cases, discussions after the ceremony centre more on the quality or cost of the gifts than on the academic success, talents and hard work of the children being celebrated.
This growing emphasis risks defeating the very purpose for which graduation and prize-giving ceremonies were established.
Beyond marking the end of an academic session, these events are designed to celebrate outstanding academic performance, encourage other learners to strive for excellence, and provide pupils with opportunities to showcase their talents through cultural displays, drama, music, debates and public speaking.
They also help build confidence in young learners while creating lasting memories for families and the school community.
Equally important, graduation ceremonies serve as platforms to acknowledge the collective efforts of teachers, parents, school administrators and other stakeholders who contribute to the growth and development of children throughout the academic year.
Unfortunately, the pressure to provide increasingly expensive souvenirs has created an unhealthy competition among some schools. To meet parents’ expectations, schools may feel compelled to raise event fees or allocate a significant portion of their budgets to gifts. Yet, despite these efforts, it is virtually impossible to satisfy everyone’s tastes and expectations.
This trend places avoidable financial burdens on schools and parents at a time when many families are already grappling with rising living costs.
More importantly, it sends the wrong message to children by suggesting that the value of the occasion lies in the gifts received rather than in the achievements being celebrated.
The success of a graduation or prize-giving ceremony should not be measured by the cost of its souvenirs. Rather, it should be reflected in the memories created, the excellence recognised, the talents displayed, and the inspiration it provides to learners to aim higher in their educational journey.
Parents also deserve to appreciate the enormous planning, coordination and financial commitments required to organise such events. From rehearsals and decorations to security, logistics and the overall welfare of guests, schools invest considerable time and resources to ensure a memorable experience for everyone.
While souvenirs remain a thoughtful addition to the celebration, they should never become the yardstick for judging the success of the event. Neither should the absence of expensive gifts discourage any learner from participating in what is, fundamentally, an educational and character-building occasion.
As communities, we must collectively preserve the dignity and purpose of graduation and prize-giving ceremonies. Schools, parents, alumni associations, community leaders and other stakeholders all have a role to play in ensuring that these events continue to promote academic excellence, inspire young minds and strengthen community values.
Ultimately, the greatest gift we can give our children is not an expensive souvenir, but an enduring appreciation for learning, achievement, good character and the pursuit of excellence. Those are the values that will remain with them long after the celebration has ended.
Ismail Toba Ogunyomi is the Proprietor, Earnest Schools, Ayobo, Lagos.
