DUSHANBE, May 25, Asia-Plus  -- 79,642 school-leavers at 3,830 schools throughout Tajikistan today heard the Maturity Bell (formerly Last School Bell), which marks school graduation.  

Noilsho Nouraliyev, a spokesman for the ministry of education (MoE), told Asia-Plus that by minister’s order ceremonial meetings were held at schools from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and after the meetings school-leavers returned to their classes.  According to him, holding of end-of-the-year celebrations such as school graduation parties and balls is prohibited.  

The spokesman added that in order to provide strict observance of the established rules the ministry of education has applied to the law enforcement agencies.  Today, police officers could be seen in many schools in Dushanbe Today.  

Final examinations will start already tomorrow.  

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon demanded at a March 26 meeting with participation of senior representatives from president’s executive office and heads of a number of ministries and organizations that costly high school graduation parties in should be banned.  He expressed concern about the "pompous" and "excessive luxury" of school festivities.  Earlier, he ordered a ban on the use of cell phones and private cars at high schools.