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By Myke Agunwa
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has thrown its weight behind the Imo State Government’s ban on graduation ceremonies for pupils in nursery, kindergarten, and Junior Secondary School (JSS3).
Recall that the Imo State Government had announced an immediate ban on graduation parties for kindergarten, nursery and Junior Secondary School pupils, saying the measure will reduce financial burdens on parents and redirect attention to the academic development of school children.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, in a memo with reference number MOEPS/COMMR/2025/VOL. 1/155, dated August 15, 2025, addressed to parents, guardians and stakeholders in the state’s education sector, also directed school proprietors to stop the annual habit of changing textbooks, which he said was financially draining and destabilizing families.
The memo stated that graduation ceremonies will only be permitted for pupils completing Primary 6 and Senior Secondary 3 (SS3), in strict alignment with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.
It directed that textbooks must now have a minimum four-year lifespan, which will allow siblings to reuse them and thereby reduce burden on struggling families.
Backing the reforms, NOA Director General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement on Monday, described the move as a bold attempt to tackle “wasteful and socially unproductive practices” in the education sector.
The NOA boss commended Governor Hope Uzodinma for “setting a standard that prioritises value reorientation, discipline, and responsible upbringing” over what he described as an unhealthy culture of flamboyance among children.
According to Issa-Onilu, the “trend of elaborate graduation parties has been fueling unrealistic expectations of instant reward” among young learners while also placing undue financial pressure on parents who are compelled to sponsor extravagance at the expense of real education.
“Early exposure to lavish celebrations distorts the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification, which are essential for personal growth and national development,” he said.
The Director General stressed that the agency recently launched a campaign against extreme “sign-out” practices and flamboyant celebrations in schools.
He added that Imo’s new directive was in line with the objectives of that campaign.