The Abia State Government has announced a new education policy banning mid-school transfers for students in Senior Secondary 2 (SS2) and Senior Secondary 3 (SS3).

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, disclosed this in a statement released in Umuahia on Tuesday. He explained that the measure, which affects both public and private schools, is part of ongoing reforms to tackle examination malpractice and strengthen accountability in the school system.

According to the new policy, all SS2 students must pass a state-organised promotion examination before they can be admitted into SS3. Ubochi noted that this step will help restore integrity to the education sector.

The reforms also include cost-cutting measures to ease the financial burden on parents:Graduation ceremonies will now be restricted to only terminal classes (Primary 6 and SS3).

Textbooks and workbooks must be sold separately, allowing younger siblings to reuse textbooks.

Primary 6 certificates will not cost more than N2,000 to ensure affordability and prevent neglect of the certificates.

Basic Education Certificates will be mandatory for students registering for tertiary entrance examinations.

These changes are part of Governor Alex Otti’s broader education reforms in Abia State, which has faced years of underfunding, poor infrastructure, and widespread exam malpractice.

Similar policies have already been implemented in Anambra, Lagos, and Enugu to discourage students from transferring to less strict schools ahead of major external exams such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) tests.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had previously flagged cases of impersonation and organised malpractice across several states, with the South-East listed as a high-risk zone. Abia’s latest reforms are therefore aimed at restoring discipline, credibility, and fairness in its education system.