The Imo State Government has announced an immediate ban on graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School (JSS) pupils, in a move aimed at reducing financial pressure on parents and promoting a stronger focus on academic development.
New policy from Ministry of Education
The directive was contained in a memo issued by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, and addressed to parents, guardians, and education stakeholders across the state. The memo, dated August 15, 2025, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL.1/155, outlined the new policy framework.
According to the Commissioner, the state government is determined to build a more efficient and stable education system that benefits students, parents, and society at large.
Only Primary 6 & SS3 students can graduate
Under the new rule, only pupils completing Primary 6 and students finishing Senior Secondary School (SS3) will be allowed to hold graduation ceremonies — in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
This means that elaborate ceremonies and parties for kindergarten, nursery, and JSS3 students are now prohibited.
Omo, parents go breathe small now, because those “end of session” parties and aso-ebi stress won’t be compulsory again.
Ban on frequent textbook changes
The memo also tackled another big issue — textbook costs. Prof. Ikegwuoha ordered school proprietors to stop the frequent change of textbooks, describing it as financially draining for families.
He explained that schools must now stick to the approved textbook list for a minimum of four years, so that siblings can reuse books, thereby reducing unnecessary expenses.
In his words:
“By adopting the approved textbooks and allowing them to be used for the specified period, schools can promote a more efficient and effective learning environment.”
The Commissioner warned private and faith-based schools to comply, stressing that unnecessary changes undermine stability in the education system.
Public reaction
The policy has already sparked conversations online. Many parents in Imo State have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a huge relief from what they called exploitative practices by some school proprietors.
Omo, this one sweet parents well, because school bills don too choke for economy wey dey like this.
The ministry has assured that monitoring teams will enforce compliance, with sanctions awaiting schools that disobey the new guidelines.
