Imo bans frequent changing of textbooks by school authorities

…Reaffirms ban on certain graduation ceremonies

The Imo State Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary) has issued a firm warning to private schools, reaffirming a strict ban on certain graduation ceremonies and the indiscriminate swapping of textbooks.

The ministry in a statement issued on April 27, 2026 and signed by Bernard Ikegwuoha, a professor and state’s commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, the policies aim to reduce financial burdens on parents and refocus education on academic excellence.

Under the existing policy, graduation ceremonies are completely prohibited for Kindergarten, Nursery and Junior Secondary School (JSS 3).

In the notice, the government directed all private school proprietors, headteachers, and principals to comply immediately or face severe consequences, including license revocation.

According to the statement, Primary 6 pupils and Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3 students are the only two groups that may be allowed to hold graduation events.

The ministry also barred students in Primary 1–5, JSS 1–3, and SSS 1–2 from being forced to contribute money for any farewell or graduation celebrations organised for others.

While Primary 6 and SSS 3 graduates can make personal or family arrangements, schools are forbidden from organising, supervising, or collecting funds for such events.

It also noted that the ban on arbitrary and frequent textbook changes remains active, as schools cannot force parents to buy new editions or entirely new titles every year solely for profit, stressing that approved textbook lists must stay stable for at least 4-years.

Consequently, a new list of state-approved textbooks will be introduced in August 2026 and will remain valid until August 2030, the ministry added.

It warned that any private school found breaking these rules could face immediate licence withdrawal, de-listing from the state’s approved school register and declaration as an illegal, unapproved school.

The ministry urged the public to report offending schools on 07076593298, 07074272304, by WhatsApp text only (no phone calls).

The statement noted that the reports must include the school’s name, address, phone number of the school or proprietor, and details of the violation.

The ministry urged all school heads (both public and private) to comply fully to the order.