In a move to ease the financial burden on families, the Imo State Government has banned graduation parties for nursery and Junior Secondary School (JSS3) students. The directive, announced by Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, states that these ceremonies are now only permitted for students completing Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3), aligning with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
The Commissioner explained that the new policy is aimed at shifting focus back to academic achievements rather than lavish celebrations.
Restrictions on Textbooks
In addition to the ban on graduation parties, the government is also tackling the issue of frequent textbook changes. Prof. Ikegwuoha directed that schools must use approved textbooks for a minimum of four years. This policy is intended to provide a more stable learning environment and allow families to reuse books for siblings, significantly reducing costs for parents.
The government believes these measures will help create a more efficient and affordable education system for everyone.