By Sophia Afolabi

In a move to ease financial pressure on parents, the Imo State Government has officially banned graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3) students across the state.

The directive was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, in a memo dated August 15, 2025 (Ref: MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155), addressed to parents, guardians, and school owners.

According to the commissioner, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS 3) students are permitted to hold graduation celebrations, aligning with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 educational framework.

“Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS 3 students are hereby abolished,” the statement read. “Our focus is on quality and functional education, not social displays.”

Ikegwuoha emphasized that the policy aims to reduce the growing financial burden placed on families by end-of-session festivities and redirect attention toward academic achievement.

In a related policy shift, the ministry also banned the annual change of textbooks in both public and private schools. All approved textbooks must now be used for a minimum of four academic years.

“Frequent textbook changes are financially burdensome and disrupt academic continuity. Schools must now stick to the state-approved booklist to ensure affordability and learning consistency,” the commissioner added.

Private and faith-based school proprietors have been ordered to comply strictly with the directive. The policy takes immediate effect across all primary and secondary schools in Imo State.