All public and private schools in Imo State resumed today, Monday, September 8, for the 2025/2026 academic session, with the state government rolling out tough measures to curb extortion and reduce the financial burden on parents.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, directed that schools must no longer compel pupils and students to submit items such as shovels, hoes, cutlasses, rakes, brooms, mopping sticks, buckets, detergents, disinfectants, toilet paper, A4 sheets, or pay unauthorized levies before admission or participation in examinations across all 27 local government areas of the state.
The government also announced the abolition of textbooks with embedded workbooks, insisting that henceforth, textbooks must be reusable for at least four years, while workbooks are to be printed and sold separately. A new cycle of approved textbooks will run from August 2026 to August 2030.
Prof. Ikegwuoha noted that the measures were taken to protect parents from unnecessary financial pressure. He expressed concern that despite existing regulations, many schools still demand extra items even after parents have paid examination fees.
“Many secondary schools, private and public, have asked parents and students to bring items such as A4 paper even after paying examination fees. This directive is aimed at curbing extortion from school owners, HMs, and principals,” the commissioner stressed.
To enforce compliance, the state government introduced a dedicated phone line (0707 659 3298) for parents, guardians, and stakeholders to report any violations of the new directives.
“Let Nigerian and Imo parents, guardians, and stakeholders breathe. If you see anything going wrong at any primary or secondary school in Imo State, you must report it via text,” Ikegwuoha said.
The policy is expected to bring financial relief to families already grappling with economic hardship, while ensuring accountability and transparency within the state’s education system.