Imo Gov’t Bans Nursery, JSS 3 Graduation Parties

Concerned about the financial strain on parents and guardians during nursery and Junior Secondary School graduation parties, the Imo State government has placed ban on such events to enable them focus on the academic development of their children.

Imo State Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha disclosed this in a memo addressed to parents, guardians, and stakeholders in the education sector at the weekend.

Ikegwuoha also directed school proprietors to stop yearly change of textbooks to enable siblings use it as it was financially draining on parents and guardians to buy new books each year.

The Commissioner in the letter dated August 15th, 2025, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155, titled” “Policy on Education for Public and Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Imo State”, said the new policy is effective immediately.

According to him, the measure was to promote a more focused and efficient education system in Imo State targeted at benefitting students, parents and the public.

The memo reads, “The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Imo State is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students in the state. To achieve this goal, the Ministry has established guidelines for “Graduation Ceremonies” and textbook usage in public and private primary and secondary schools.

“Graduation ceremonies: in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system in Nigeria, graduation ceremonies and parties are only permitted for: (1) Primary 6 graduating pupils (2) senior Secondary School (SSS) 3 3 students.

“Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery and junior secondary school 3 students are hereby abolished.

“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 said.

In the same letter, the Commissioner directed schools to stop introducing new textbooks each year, saying it denied siblings the use of such books.

He added that textbooks should henceforth be used for four years.

The commissioner said “to promote stability and consistency in education, proprietors of faith-based, and private schools are required to adhere to the approved lists of textbooks.

“These textbooks are designed to be used for a period of four years, allowing children (pupils and students) to use the textbooks of their siblings for four consecutive years”.

“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. 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”, he said.