Nursery graduation

Graduation (also called commencement), in the academic sense, is the ceremony of conferring an academic certificate, diploma, or degree to students (graduands). Graduation takes place at all levels of education, right from the lowest level (nursery) to the highest level.

The last two days (Thursday and Friday) have been graduation days here in Arua. As is the norm with all graduations, the air was filled with anticipation, excitement and joy among the parents, teachers and pupils/students alike. From what I've observed, the most excitement is usually among the nursery school pupils.

In the two days of graduation, I've seen two sets of nursery schools proudly march with their graduands from a central location in town (Christ The King Church) to their respective schools. Both sets were accompanied by police officers and a youthful marching band -- they were colorful. One of these nursery schools happens to be in my work neighborhood. Here are some pictures taken from the office balcony.

The school van that took the graduands to the marching starting point.

The Springs Nursery/Primary School graduands march to school for a graduation ceremony at their school, accompanied by well-wishers and parents.

The band leader artfully spins his staff. A police officer (to his right in florescent green) was present to keep law and order.

The band members playing the marching music.

All marching in: The young graduands marching their way to school as the teachers (in the background) keep them marching in unison.

Some of the parents that accompanied the graduands on the march.

The procession slowly makes its way to the ceremony venue.