The government also approved the separation of textbooks from workbooks to enable younger siblings to reuse textbooks while workbooks remain unique to each child
Ahead of resumption of academic activities in schools across the State for the 2025/2026 session, the Abia State Government has rolled out new education policies to guide learning in the State.
In communiqué after it’s Executive Council meeting on Monday, the government banned graduation ceremonies for nursery and lower primary school pupils in the State.
The government also approved the separation of textbooks from workbooks to enable younger siblings to reuse textbooks while workbooks remain unique to each child.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu on Monday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
He stated that the new education policies aimed at easing the financial burden on parents and to strengthen standards across schools.
Briefing journalists after this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia, Kanu, announced that graduation ceremonies will now be restricted to only terminal classes—Primary 6 and SS3—in both public and private schools.
Buttressing the importance of the new policies, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, explained that it was unnecessary for nursery and lower-class pupils to hold graduation ceremonies that compel parents to spend heavily
Ubochi noted that the he government also directed parents to ensure they collect their children’s basic education certificates. This was as he lamented that many First School Leaving Certificates are often abandoned.
To tackle this, the Commissioner said schools have been instructed not to charge more than ₦2,000 for Primary 6 certificates.
He said, “In addition, the State has made it compulsory for candidates enrolling for WAEC, NECO, or JAMB to present their basic education certificates. No student will be admitted into SS3 without passing a state-organized mandatory promotion exam in SS2.
Ubochi further emphasized that all schools—public and private—must participate in the promotion exam. While switching schools between SS2 and SS3 will no longer be permitted.
This move, he said, is aimed at curbing examination malpractice and strengthening accountability.
“These measures are designed to reduce financial pressure on parents, promote accountability, and ensure integrity in the education system,” Ubochi stated.