The Imo State Government has rolled out a sweeping new directive that has immediately placed a ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School (JSS). According to the government, the decision is primarily aimed at reducing the unnecessary financial stress often placed on parents while also ensuring that the focus of the school system remains firmly on academic development and not on lavish celebrations that do little to enhance learning outcomes.
This directive was formally communicated in a detailed memo signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha. The document, dated August 15, 2025, and issued under reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL.1/155, was addressed to parents, guardians, school proprietors, and other key stakeholders in the state’s education sector. In the circular, Prof. Ikegwuoha outlined both the ban on premature graduation ceremonies and new policies regarding the regulation of textbooks in schools.
The Commissioner emphasized that, under the new rules, only Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School (SSS3) students will be allowed to host graduation ceremonies, in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system already established in Nigeria. This means that elaborate ceremonies or parties organized for kindergarten, nursery, and JSS3 students are no longer permitted. He noted that such ceremonies had become financially exploitative for many families and often distracted from the real purpose of schooling, which is to build knowledge and character.
Alongside the clampdown on graduation events, the state government also introduced a firm regulation regarding textbook usage. Prof. Ikegwuoha explained that schools will now be required to adopt the government-approved textbook list and maintain the same set of books for a minimum period of four years. This system, he said, will allow younger siblings to reuse textbooks from older ones, thereby drastically reducing the financial burden of constantly buying new editions every academic session. He further stressed that the frequent and arbitrary changes of textbooks by many schools have not only drained families financially but also disrupted learning consistency among students.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Imo State is committed to providing quality and functional education to all learners. To achieve this target, the Ministry has set out comprehensive guidelines on graduation ceremonies and textbook usage in schools. These measures are designed to promote stability, affordability, and focus within our education system,” the commissioner said in the memo.
Prof. Ikegwuoha also issued a stern warning to school proprietors, particularly those running private and faith-based institutions, to desist from imposing unnecessary financial demands on parents. He pointed out that the government will be closely monitoring compliance with the new directives, and schools found violating these policies will face strict sanctions. The Commissioner emphasized that adherence to the approved textbooks and policies is a collective responsibility that will benefit both students and the wider society by creating a more structured and efficient education environment.
“By adopting the approved textbooks and allowing them to be used for the specified period, schools can foster a more stable learning culture and also give parents much-needed financial relief. Education should never be about exploitation; it should be about empowerment and growth,” he added.
Reactions on social media and across communities in Imo State suggest that the move has been met with overwhelming support. Many parents have applauded the initiative, describing it as a bold step towards eliminating what they called exploitative practices by some schools. According to them, the ban on unnecessary graduation ceremonies and the clampdown on textbook changes will not only reduce expenses but will also restore the dignity and seriousness of education in the state.
Education stakeholders also hailed the government’s decision, saying it was long overdue. They argued that schools had over time turned graduation events into revenue-generating avenues at the expense of parents, while constant textbook changes only enriched publishers and proprietors. The new guidelines, they said, would help redirect attention back to academic excellence, discipline, and meaningful child development, which are the real goals of education.
With this bold reform, the Imo State Government has made it clear that its priority lies in creating an educational system that is cost-effective, student-centered, and focused on long-term success rather than short-term frivolities.