Imo State has introduced new education rules banning early graduation parties and limiting textbook changes.
The policies aim to cut parents’ costs and keep schools focused on real academic milestones.
The Imo State government has announced new education policies aimed at easing financial burdens on parents and ensuring a more focused academic system.
In a circular dated August 15, 2025, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, directed all public and private schools to stop organizing graduation ceremonies for nursery, kindergarten, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3) students. The memo emphasized that under Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system, official graduation ceremonies are only permitted for pupils completing Primary 6 and students finishing Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3.
Ikegwuoha clarified that the decision aims to streamline school activities and emphasize key academic milestones that truly signify the completion of each educational stage. “This policy is designed 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,” he stated.
Beyond graduation ceremonies, the state government also tackled the recurring problem of annual textbook changes in schools. According to the Commissioner, many proprietors frequently alter textbooks, forcing parents to purchase new materials each academic session, a practice he described as financially draining.
To curb this, the Ministry ordered that approved textbooks must remain in use for a minimum of four years, allowing siblings and successive students to reuse them. “These textbooks are designed to be used for four years, allowing children to use the books of their siblings. Proprietors are warned to desist from frequent changes that place unnecessary financial pressure on families,” Ikegwuoha added.
The Commissioner stressed that both faith-based and private schools must strictly adhere to the government’s approved list of textbooks. He noted that this consistency would not only reduce costs for families but also promote a stable, efficient learning environment.
This decision has been welcomed, noting that graduation parties for non-terminal classes often divert attention from academics and place additional financial demands on parents. They also argue that enforcing a longer textbook cycle could help make education more accessible in a period of rising living costs.
The new policies are effective immediately, with the Ministry warning that non-compliance by school proprietors will attract sanctions.
With these measures, the Imo State government says it hopes to create a fairer, more disciplined educational environment, one that relieves parents of avoidable expenses while keeping students focused on meaningful academic achievements.
