The Imo State Government has ordered an immediate ban on graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School pupils. According to the government, the decision is aimed at easing the financial pressure on parents while refocusing attention on the academic development of children.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, made this known in a memo addressed to parents, guardians, and stakeholders in the state’s education sector.
He further instructed school proprietors to discontinue the yearly change of textbooks, describing the practice as both financially burdensome and disruptive for families.
According to him, the decision forms part of a new policy designed to promote a more focused and efficient education system that benefits students, parents and the wider society.
The memo, dated August 15, 2025, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL.1/155 and titled “Policy on Education for Public and Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Imo State,” stated that the policy takes effect immediately.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Imo State is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. To achieve this goal, the Ministry has established guidelines on graduation ceremonies and textbook usage in schools,” the statement read.
On graduation ceremonies, Ikegwuoha stressed that, in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system, only Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School students are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
“Henceforth, ceremonies and parties for kindergarten, nursery and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” he said.
On the issue of textbook usage, the commissioner directed that schools must now adhere to the approved list of textbooks and maintain them for at least four years, allowing siblings to reuse them.
He cautioned proprietors, particularly those in private and faith-based schools, against frequent changes, stressing that such practices place unnecessary financial strain on parents and disrupt educational consistency.
“By adopting the approved textbooks and allowing them to be used for the specified period, schools can promote a more efficient and effective learning environment,” he added.
The ministry said it would monitor compliance and take necessary action against defaulters.
Meanwhile, several Imo State residents have praised the policy on social media, hailing it as a welcome relief from what they described as exploitative practices by school proprietors, who often used graduation parties as a means to extort parents.