Imo govt bans graduation parties for nursery, kindergarten, JSS 3, gives reason

The Imo State Government has placed a ban on graduation parties for nursery, kindergarten, and Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) students, citing concerns about the financial strain such celebrations impose on parents and guardians.

The directive was contained in a memo dated August 15, 2025, signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155. The circular was distributed to parents, guardians, school proprietors, and education stakeholders across the state.

According to Prof. Ikegwuoha, graduation ceremonies will now only be permitted for pupils completing Primary 6 and students graduating from Senior Secondary School (SSS 3), in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education policy.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students.

“Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS 3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo read.

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Ikegwuoha explained that the decision was taken after careful assessment of how lavish and frequent graduation parties at lower school levels imposed unnecessary financial strain on families.

He stressed that graduation should be an academic milestone, not a financial competition.

“This policy aims to reduce needless expenses and ensure that the focus remains on meaningful academic achievements at the end of the primary and secondary cycles,” he said.

In addition to banning certain graduation parties, the Imo State Government has also outlawed the annual change of textbooks by schools.

The new policy mandates that approved textbooks must be retained for a minimum of four years before any review or replacement, a move designed to ensure that siblings can reuse books and parents are spared the cost of repeated purchases.

“Proprietors of faith-based and private schools must adhere strictly to the state’s approved textbook list. Frequent changes not only drain parents financially but also disrupt the consistency of teaching and learning,” Ikegwuoha stated.

The state government emphasized that the new regulations take immediate effect and apply to all public and private primary and secondary schools in Imo State.

Education officials have been tasked with monitoring compliance, while proprietors have been warned against defying the policy.

Prof. Ikegwuoha assured parents that the Ministry remains committed to building a sustainable, affordable, and quality-driven education system that prioritizes both learning outcomes and the welfare of families.