By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
THE Imo State Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has issued a stern directive prohibiting schools from demanding unapproved materials and fees from parents and guardians as a condition for admitting students into Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) and Senior Secondary School (SSS 1) for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Professor B. T. O. Ikegwuoha, expressed concern over reports that some principals and head teachers were compelling parents to provide items such as shovels, hoes, cutlasses, rakes, brooms, mops, buckets, disinfectants, detergents, soap, toilet rolls, and A4 paper, in addition to levies and examination fees.
Describing the practice as illegal and unapproved, Professor Ikegwuoha ordered that it must cease immediately in both public and private schools, except where boarding school regulations apply.
To ensure compliance, the Ministry has introduced a dedicated complaints line: 0707 659 3298, through which parents, guardians, students and stakeholders can report any cases of extortion or violation of government policies. The number is for text messages only.
The Commissioner also reaffirmed the state government’s policy that approved textbooks must remain in use for a minimum of four years. Books currently in circulation will expire in August 2026, with the next approved set running from September 2026 to August 2030. Schools have also been warned against compelling parents to purchase new books annually.
In addition, the Ministry announced a ban on embedding workbooks within textbooks — a practice that prevents younger siblings from reusing them. Authors and publishers supplying the Imo school system have already been notified to print and distribute workbooks separately.
The statement noted that some schools have continued to flout government regulations by demanding unnecessary supplies and charging extra fees, which the Ministry described as a form of extortion.
Professor Ikegwuoha urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, stressing:
“If you see something going wrong in any primary or secondary school in Imo State, you must say something.”
Imo State Governor
The directive forms part of the government’s broader effort to curb exploitation in the education sector and ensure that schooling remains affordable for families across the state.
What's your reaction?
