Imo State Government Bans Nursery & JSS3 Graduation Ceremonies, Restricts Annual Textbook Changes

The Imo State Government has officially announced a new policy that prohibits schools from organizing graduation ceremonies for pupils in kindergarten, nursery classes, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3).

In addition to the ban on early graduation ceremonies, the government has also restricted the frequent practice of schools changing textbooks on a yearly basis.

This directive was made public through a formal memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha. The document was addressed to parents, guardians, and all key stakeholders in the state’s education sector.

New Rules on Graduation Ceremonies

According to the new policy guidelines, graduation ceremonies will only be permitted for two categories of students:

• Pupils completing Primary 6, and
• Students graduating from Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3).

This move aligns with the 6-3-3-4 Nigerian education structure, ensuring that recognition ceremonies are held strictly at the terminal stages of primary and secondary education.

Textbook Policy and Cost Reduction

The government also introduced a minimum four-year lifespan policy for textbooks. This means that once textbooks are approved, they must remain in use for at least four academic years before any replacement can be considered.

This initiative is aimed at reducing the financial pressure on parents, enabling siblings to reuse learning materials, and ensuring a standardized approach across schools. Furthermore, institutions were cautioned against adopting books outside the state’s officially approved textbook list.

Purpose of the Policy

Professor Ikegwuoha emphasized that these measures were put in place to eliminate exploitative practices often seen in schools, particularly the commercialization of graduation events and unnecessary textbook changes.

He further explained that the reforms will foster uniformity in teaching methods, enhance affordability for parents, and ensure that students’ academic achievements remain the top priority rather than celebrations or forced textbook purchases.

The memo confirmed that the policy has taken immediate effect across all public and private schools in the state.