The Imo State Government has introduced major reforms in the education sector, banning graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students. It also directed schools to stop the practice of changing textbooks every academic year.
The policy was announced in a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL.1/155.
According to the circular, only pupils completing Primary 6 and students completing Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies, in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
“The essence of this directive is to ensure that attention is focused on academic achievements at the proper completion points of primary and secondary education,” the Commissioner explained.
On the issue of textbooks, the state government condemned what it described as the exploitative practice of schools compelling parents to buy new editions annually. Prof. Ikegwuoha stated that henceforth, textbooks will have a four-year lifespan, allowing siblings to reuse them and easing the financial burden on families.
He further warned proprietors of private and faith-based schools against deviating from the state’s approved textbook list, stressing that consistency in curriculum materials was necessary for improved learning outcomes.
“Schools are hereby directed to stop frequent changes of textbooks, as this practice imposes unnecessary financial strain on parents and negatively affects the quality of education,” the memo read.
The policy takes immediate effect across both public and private schools in the state.
