Owerri – The Imo State Government has announced a new policy guiding public and private primary and secondary schools across the state, abolishing graduation ceremonies for certain categories of pupils and students.

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In a circular issued by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the state government emphasized its commitment to providing quality and functional education for all learners. The directive, signed by the Honourable Commissioner, outlined fresh guidelines on graduation ceremonies and textbook usage in line with the 6-3-3-4 Nigerian education system.

According to the new policy, graduation ceremonies and parties are henceforth restricted to:

  1. Primary 6 graduating pupils
  2. Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) graduating students

The circular explicitly abolished graduation parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3) students. The Ministry explained that the move is aimed at ensuring parents, guardians, and schools place greater focus on the academic achievements of learners rather than elaborate ceremonies.

On the issue of textbooks, the government directed both public and private schools, especially faith-based institutions, to adhere strictly to the approved booklists. It stated that the textbooks are to be used for a period of four years, thereby allowing siblings to reuse them within that timeframe.

The Commissioner stressed that the policy is part of the state’s broader education reform under the 3Rs agenda: Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Recovery, designed to promote stability, consistency, and affordability in the school system.