Imo Bans Forced Textbook Purchases, Releases 2026 Common Entrance and Junior WAEC Results

The Imo State Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has announced the release of the 2026 Universal Basic Education General Placement Test (UBEGPT) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard-Thompson O. Ikegwuoha, in a statement addressed to parents, guardians and residents of Imo State.

UBEGPT is popularly known as the Common Entrance Examination, while BECE is commonly referred to as Junior WAEC.

According to the Ministry, the newly released results will be used for admission and placement into JSS 1 and SSS 1, respectively, through placement cards issued by the Ministry.

Imo State Restates New Textbook Policy

Beyond the examination results, the Commissioner used the announcement to reiterate the Imo State textbook policy, which gives parents greater freedom over where they purchase textbooks for their children.

Under the policy, parents are permitted to purchase approved textbooks from any bookstore of their choice and cannot be compelled to buy them directly from their children’s schools.

The Ministry, however, warned that parents must ensure they do not purchase pirated copies of textbooks.

According to Ikegwuoha, the arrangement was agreed upon with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and other private school proprietors during stakeholder engagements.

He stated that meetings with private-school stakeholders were held on August 27 and September 7, 2026.

The Commissioner also clarified that Catholic Education Secretaries were not present at those meetings.

Textbooks Must Remain in Use for Four Years

The Ministry announced three major protections intended to reduce the financial burden of purchasing school books.

Under the new rules:

1. Textbooks must be reusable by younger siblings.
2. Approved textbooks are expected to remain in use for four consecutive years.
3. Textbooks should not contain embedded workbooks that effectively force parents to purchase new copies every academic year.

The measures could significantly affect the long-standing practice in some schools where pupils are required to purchase new books every session, even when older copies remain academically relevant.

The Ministry said the reforms are intended to protect parents and guardians from unnecessary expenses while ensuring pupils continue to have access to appropriate learning materials.

Committee to Address Textbook Price Markups

The Commissioner further disclosed that a nine-member committee, comprising representatives of parents and school proprietors, is finalising guidelines concerning acceptable logistics markups on textbooks.

According to the Ministry, the guidelines are intended to prevent arbitrary increases in textbook prices.

This means schools and other parties involved in supplying books may still account for legitimate logistics costs, but the government intends to establish clearer limits to protect families from excessive charges.

Imo Says Other States Are Following Its Education Reforms

Ikegwuoha also said elements of Imo State’s education reforms are beginning to receive wider recognition across Nigeria.

He specifically pointed to recent moves in Lagos State concerning schools compelling parents to purchase books from designated vendors, arguing that they reflect principles already being implemented in Imo State.

The Commissioner described the development as evidence that Imo is taking a leading role in what he called learner-centred and parent-friendly education reforms.

What the New Policy Means for Imo Parents

For parents and guardians, the most immediate implication of the Imo State textbook policy is that a school should not restrict them to purchasing textbooks exclusively from the school or a particular seller, provided the books they obtain are legitimate and meet the required specifications.

The four-year textbook-use rule should also make it easier for families to pass books from older children to younger siblings instead of purchasing identical books every year.

The restriction on embedded workbooks is particularly important because writing directly inside a textbook can make it impossible for another pupil to reuse the same copy.

Parents should, however, ensure that books purchased independently are the correct titles and editions prescribed for their children’s classes and avoid pirated copies.

Imo Government Reaffirms Commitment to Education Reform

Ikegwuoha said the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma remains committed to making education in the state affordable, transparent and learner-friendly.

He described the Ministry’s approach as one that recognises parents as important participants in decisions affecting their children’s education.

The Ministry said it would continue implementing reforms designed to improve educational quality while protecting families from practices that unnecessarily increase the cost of schooling.

With the 2026 Common Entrance and BECE results now released, affected parents and candidates are expected to proceed with the relevant placement and admission processes using placement cards issued by the Imo State Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.