The Imo State government has announced a ban on graduation parties for nursery and Junior Secondary School (JSS) students, directing schools to comply with immediate effect.
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, disclosed this in a memo dated August 15, 2025, addressed to parents, guardians, and education stakeholders.
According to the memo, graduation ceremonies will henceforth only be permitted for Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students, in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
“This policy aims to ensure that students, parents, guardians, and schools focus on the academic achievements of students at the end of their primary and secondary education cycles,” the commissioner stated.
In the same directive, Professor Ikegwuoha warned proprietors of faith-based and private schools to stop the practice of changing textbooks annually, noting that such frequent changes imposed unnecessary financial burdens on parents.
He explained that approved textbooks must now be used for a minimum of four years, allowing siblings to make use of the same materials.
“Proprietors are warned to desist from frequent changes of textbooks every academic year, as this practice can be financially draining and undermine the quality of education. By adopting the approved textbooks and allowing them to be used for the specific period, schools can promote a more efficient and effective learning environment,” the memo read.
The Commissioner emphasized that the measures were designed to strengthen consistency in the state’s education system while easing financial pressure on parents and guardians.