The most common school mottos include: "Hard Work Pays”, "Knowledge Is Power” and "Education Is the Key to Success”. From the formative years, every child is told to work hard at school in order to secure a bright future. It even looks more serious when teachers add their voice to that of the parents. The parents’ constant sacrifice — emotionally and materially — also serve as a reminder to the learners to keep burning the midnight candle until they graduate from university or tertiary institution with a degree or diploma. It is a very long journey of more than 16 years of ‘suffering’ — both by the child/learner and by the parents. No wonder many learners drop out of school along the way.

Given that background, it is understandable when parents decide to throw a party for their child as a way of congratulating them on the great achievement. However, some parents, after so many years of eating and dressing poorly so their children study, receive tears instead of degrees. But why would a parent be duped by their child? And why would they take long to discover that their child was after all not studying? Our lead explores this issue in detail. Otherwise, congratulations to all the graduands.