Imo State Bans Graduation Parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 Students

The Imo State Government has announced an immediate ban on graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery, and Junior Secondary School (JSS3) pupils. The decision aims to ease the financial pressure on parents and refocus attention on academic excellence.

The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, in an official memo addressed to parents, guardians, and stakeholders in both public and private schools.

The directive, dated August 15, 2025, and referenced MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL.1/155, is part of a broader policy shift aimed at fostering a more focused and cost-effective education system in the state.

“Only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School students are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies in line with the national 6-3-3-4 education structure,” the memo stated.

In addition to banning early-level graduation ceremonies, the commissioner also prohibited the frequent change of textbooks by schools. He emphasized that institutions must now adopt only the state-approved list of textbooks and maintain their use for a minimum of four years, allowing for reuse by siblings and reducing costs for families.

Prof. Ikegwuoha warned that the practice of introducing new textbooks annually, particularly by private and faith-based schools, places an unnecessary financial burden on parents and disrupts educational continuity.

“By standardizing textbook use and limiting frivolous ceremonies, we are creating a more efficient and effective learning environment,” he said.

The Ministry of Education has promised to monitor compliance and sanction schools that violate the policy.

Public reaction on social media has been largely supportive. Many Imo residents welcomed the new measures, describing them as a step toward ending exploitative practices in the education sector, especially by schools accused of using end-of-term ceremonies to extort parents.