Determined to curb exploitative practices in schools and promote uniformity in teaching, and ensurethat teachers are focused on students’ academic achievements, the Imo State Government has banned graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, nursery, and JSS 3 students. The government has also banned annual changes of textbooks.
A memo signed by the Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, dated August 15, 2025, was directed to parents, guardians, and stakeholders.
Under the policy, graduation ceremonies will now only be permitted for pupils completing Primary 6 and students finishing Senior Secondary School 3, SSS3, in line with the 6-3-3-4 education system
The government further directed that textbooks must have a minimum four-year lifespan to allow reuse by siblings and ease the financial burden on parents. Schools were also warned against deviating from the approved list of textbooks.
Ikegwuoha explained that the measures were designed to curb exploitative practices in schools, promote uniformity in teaching, and ensure that attention remains on students’ academic achievements.
