EDUCATION: Imo Govt Bans Nursery, JSS3 Graduation Ceremonies, Stops Yearly Change Of Textbooks
This was contained in a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155.
The Imo State Government has announced sweeping reforms in the state’s education sector, abolishing graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students, while also directing schools to stop the yearly change of textbooks.
This was contained in a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155.
The document, titled “Policy on Education for Public and Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Imo State”, was addressed to parents, guardians, and stakeholders.
According to the new policy, graduation ceremonies and parties are henceforth only permitted for pupils completing Primary 6 and students completing Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3), in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
“This policy aims to ensure that students, parents, guardians and stakeholders, and schools focus on the academic achievements of students at the end of their primary and secondary education cycles,” the Commissioner stated.
The memo also addressed what it described as the exploitative practice of schools introducing new textbooks annually.
Professor Ikegwuoha directed that textbooks should henceforth have a four-year lifespan to allow siblings to reuse them, thereby reducing the financial burden on parents.
He warned proprietors of faith-based and private schools against deviating from the approved list of textbooks, stressing that stability and consistency in curriculum materials would enhance learning outcomes.
“Proprietors are warned to desist from frequent change of textbooks every academic year, as this practice can be financially burdening for parents and undermine the quality of education,” the memo read.
The Commissioner noted that adopting approved textbooks for the stipulated period would not only promote cost-effectiveness for families but also ensure uniformity in teaching and learning across schools in the state.
“By adopting the approved textbooks and allowing them to be used for the specific period, schools can promote a more efficient and effective learning environment,” the memo said.
The new education policy takes effect immediately.
