Imo Govt Bans Kindergarten, Nursery Graduation Parties
The Imo State Government has banned graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery and Junior Secondary School (JSS3) pupils, citing the need to ease financial pressure on parents and refocus attention on academics.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, announced the decision in a memo addressed to parents, guardians and school operators. He said the directive is part of a new policy aimed at strengthening the state’s education system for the benefit of students and families.
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The memo, dated August 15, 2025, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL.1/155, stated that the policy takes immediate effect. It emphasized that only Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School students are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies in line with the 6-3-3-4 education structure.
“Ceremonies and parties for kindergarten, nursery and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the commissioner declared.
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Ikegwuoha also directed schools to stop the annual practice of changing textbooks, describing it as financially draining and destabilising for parents. Going forward, schools are required to adopt the approved list of textbooks and use them for at least four years to allow siblings to share them.
“By adopting the approved textbooks and allowing them to be used for the specified period, schools can promote a more efficient and effective learning environment,” he explained.
The ministry warned that it will monitor compliance and sanction defaulters, particularly private and faith-based schools that have been accused of exploiting parents through frequent textbook changes and elaborate graduation parties.
Meanwhile, several residents of Imo State have welcomed the policy, with many parents on social media describing it as a relief from what they termed exploitative practices by some school proprietors.