Imo State Government has introduced sweeping reforms in the education sector, abolishing graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students, while also stopping schools from changing textbooks annually.
The reforms were announced in a policy memo dated August 15, 2025, 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 other education stakeholders.
According to the new directive, graduation ceremonies and parties are now restricted to 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, stakeholders, and schools focus on the academic achievements of learners at the end of their primary and secondary education cycles,” the memo stated.
The government also moved to end what it described as the exploitative practice of schools mandating new textbooks every academic session.
Professor Ikegwuoha directed that all approved textbooks must have a minimum four-year lifespan, allowing siblings to reuse them and easing the financial burden on parents.
He further cautioned proprietors of faith-based and private schools against deviating from the government’s approved booklist, warning that frequent changes not only strain families financially but also disrupt curriculum consistency.
“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 stressed that adopting approved textbooks for the stipulated period would promote cost-effectiveness for families while ensuring uniformity in teaching and learning across schools in the state.
The new policy takes immediate effect.
