Imo State’s Graduation Ban Earns Praise From NOA
Imo State’s graduation ban receives applause from NOA for curbing excesses and promoting value reorientation among young students
Imo State graduation ban has earned the commendation of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which described the decision to halt extravagant graduation parties for pupils as a bold and commendable move towards restoring discipline and responsible values in the education system.
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The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, praised the Imo State Government for acting decisively to curb what he termed a “wasteful and socially unproductive practice” that fosters a culture of materialism and unrealistic expectations among young learners.
According to Issa-Onilu, the Imo State’s graduation ban is timely, as many schoolchildren are being exposed early to celebrations that diminish the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification.
He noted that this trend places undue financial pressure on parents, who often feel compelled to fund such lavish events.
The policy, which restricts graduation ceremonies to only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary students, aligns with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education structure.
NOA noted that this helps reinforce consistency in national academic standards while also reducing unnecessary financial burdens on families.
The DG also praised the Imo Government’s decision to stop the annual change of school textbooks by proprietors, calling it a “relief measure” that promotes affordable education and eases the economic strain on parents.
“This is the kind of progressive, value-driven reform we need in the education sector,” Issa-Onilu stated.
He added that the agency’s newly launched campaign against “sign-out excesses” supports this initiative and calls on other states to follow suit in redefining educational priorities.
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He concluded by stressing that these policies not only foster academic excellence but also nurture a more resilient, focused, and responsible generation of Nigerians.
