There is a mountain of symbolism in these ceremonies. Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. Graduands, as they are called, morph into graduates by the end of the ceremony, by which time they would have collected their certificates. Students adorned in their spanking new gowns march with confidence carrying with them the hopes and dreams of a promising future, being wildly cheered on by teachers, parents, family and well-wishers. Notwithstanding where and how it began, graduations or commencement ceremonies have become immensely popular. They marked the commencement of a scholar’s life. The pageantry that heralds a graduation ceremony emanates from 12th century universities in Europe where Diploma Days were celebrated wearing the scholar’s gown, mortar board, and such other traditions which are now well entrenched around the world. Why, they ask, should there be elaborate graduation ceremonies for students who are merely transitioning from kindergarten to primary or from primary to high school? They further the argument by explaining that a graduate is one who has completed a course of study and has collected a degree or diploma. They argue that there is a difference between school-leaving or prize-giving ceremonies and graduations.

Viewed as a momentous occasion in a student’s life, there are, however, critics who say they are an absolute waste of time, demanding unnecessary expense for a one-time event, particularly if the student is not graduating from university.

Kindergarten graduation background