THE Imo State Government has announced a ban on graduation parties for nursery, kindergarten, and Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) students, citing concerns over the financial pressure such events place on parents and guardians.
The directive was issued by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, in a memo dated August 15, 2025, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155, and circulated to parents, guardians, school proprietors, and education stakeholders across the state.
According to the commissioner, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) students are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies in line with the 6-3-3-4 education policy, which stipulates official transitional points within the Nigerian school 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 decision was taken after careful assessment of how lavish and frequent graduation parties at lower school levels imposed unnecessary financial strain on families.
He stressed that graduation should be an academic milestone, not a financial competition.
“This policy aims to reduce needless expenses and ensure that the focus remains on meaningful academic achievements at the end of the primary and secondary cycles,” he said.
In addition to banning certain graduation parties, the Imo State Government has also outlawed the annual change of textbooks by schools.
The new policy mandates that approved textbooks must be retained for a minimum of four years before any review or replacement, a move designed to ensure that siblings can reuse books and parents are spared the cost of repeated purchases.
“Proprietors of faith-based and private schools must adhere strictly to the state’s approved textbook list. Frequent changes not only drain parents financially but also disrupt the consistency of teaching and learning,” Ikegwuoha stated.
The state government emphasized that the new regulations take immediate effect and apply to all public and private primary and secondary schools in Imo State.
Education officials have been tasked with monitoring compliance, while proprietors have been warned against defying the policy.
Prof. Ikegwuoha assured parents that the Ministry remains committed to building a sustainable, affordable, and quality-driven education system that prioritizes both learning outcomes and the welfare of families.