By Atoyebi Nike
The Imo State Government has introduced new education policies aimed at easing the financial pressures on families and strengthening academic focus in schools.
Education Commissioner Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha announced the immediate suspension of graduation parties for pupils in kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3). He explained that only pupils completing Primary 6 and students graduating from Senior Secondary School would be permitted to hold such ceremonies, in line with the 6-3-3-4 education structure.
The directive, contained in a memo dated August 15, 2025, also prohibited the yearly replacement of textbooks by schools. Ikegwuoha described the practice as unnecessary, costly, and destabilizing for parents, insisting that textbooks from the approved list must now be used for at least four years to allow reuse by siblings.
“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 memo read.
The commissioner emphasized that the measures were designed to build a more stable and effective education system that benefits children, parents, and society at large. He also warned proprietors, especially in private and faith-based schools, against disregarding the new rules, noting that the ministry would enforce compliance and sanction defaulters.
The decision has sparked discussions across the state, with many parents and residents welcoming the move. On social media, several users praised the initiative as a relief from what they described as exploitative practices, where schools used graduation parties and frequent textbook changes to impose extra financial demands on families.
