The Imo State Government has banned graduation parties for nursery and Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) students, citing the financial burden such ceremonies place on parents and guardians.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, announced the new directive in a memo dated August 15, 2025, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155, and addressed to parents, guardians, and school proprietors.
According to the commissioner, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) students are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS 3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo read.
Ikegwuoha explained that the policy aims to reduce unnecessary expenses for parents and redirect focus to academic achievement at the end of primary and secondary school cycles.
In addition, the government ordered schools to stop the yearly change of textbooks, directing that approved books must be used for a minimum of four years.
He said the measure would allow siblings to reuse books, ease financial strain on families, and promote consistency in teaching.
“Proprietors of faith-based and private schools must adhere to the approved list of textbooks. Frequent changes are financially burdensome for parents and undermine educational stability. By adopting the approved textbooks for the specified period, schools can foster a more efficient and effective learning environment,” Ikegwuoha stated.
The new policy takes immediate effect across all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state.